What makes Malibu by Miley Cyrus notable?

Malibu received critical acclaim, debuting at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a commercial success in several countries. The song's themes of love and personal reflection resonated widely, positioning it as a significant moment in Cyrus's career transition and contributing to her reestablished presence in mainstream pop. Released as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Malibu marked Miley Cyrus's return to a more rootsy sound following her controversial Bangerz era. At this point, Cyrus was reinventing her image after a period of artistic experimentation and public scrutiny, aiming to reconnect with her earlier musical influences.

How many songs are on Malibu?

Malibu has 1 track, running approximately 3 minutes.

Malibu

Miley Cyrus · 2017

3 min · 1 track · country music

A sun-kissed blend of folk and pop, infused with a sense of nostalgia and yearning for simpler times.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Malibu — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, showcasing Cyrus's heartfelt lyrics about love and longing, paired with an uplifting melody that marks her musical evolution.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The song blends folk and pop elements with personal themes, showcasing Cyrus's vocal style while maintaining a cohesive structure.

What we noticed

The song features a steady mid-tempo rhythm, with acoustic guitar as the primary instrument driving the melody.
Cyrus's vocal delivery is relaxed and conversational, emphasizing the personal and reflective lyrics throughout.
The structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, with a bridge that introduces a slight shift in dynamics before returning to the chorus.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked a significant return to a rootsy sound, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success.
Themes: California sunshine· carefree summer love· personal rebirth
Career context: Released as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Malibu marked Miley Cyrus's return to a more rootsy sound following her controversial Bangerz era. At this point, Cyrus was reinventing her image after a period of artistic experimentation and public scrutiny, aiming to reconnect with her earlier musical influences.
Stylistic neighbors: Kacey Musgraves· Demi Lovato· Taylor Swift