I'm a 37-year old man. In other words, about the last audience one would expect for a Miley Cyrus concert. However, when all the theatrics and tabloid antics are put aside, I've always thought that Miley has an incredibly unique and powerful voice. "Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)" is a wonderful showcase of exactly that.
Basically, "Backyard Sessions" is a series of songs from Cyrus' latest album (Endless Summer Vacation) sung in a stripped-down, sparse setting. No stage--no pyro--no crowd. Just Miley, a microphone, and a small accompanying band. The songs are interspersed with short vignettes of Cyrus explaining the origins or emotions of the various tunes.
I can't help but think that this was perhaps a "pandemic production", of sorts, from its simplistic nature. Either way, it proves to be an effective showcase of her pipes. Even if--like me--you can't necessarily relate to the music's content or have a nostalgic connection to the singer herself, the strength of that voice alone cannot be denied.
For awhile, being a fan (traditional or not) of Miley Cyrus was a complicated affair, what with her tabloid exploits usually outpacing her musical output. But now that some of that "rebellious stage" is perhaps in the rearview mirror, "Backyard Sessions"--and the album it promotes--could be a nice course-correction back to a focus on her music and vocals.
