Miley Cyrus Dives Deep with Emotional New Ballad “More to Lose”
Miley Cyrus has made another exciting artistic choice with the launch of the fourth single, the deeply moving “More to Lose” from her highly anticipated visual album, Something Beautiful. Released on May 9th, “More to Lose”, is expansive in its sound—taking three full minutes to build from layers of piano, slide guitar, and strings to crescendo to what is arguably the sharpest example of Miley’s power vocals—but the focus is not on sound layering or studio elements or commercial hype, but the impact of one simple lyric and the rawness it brings. “I knew someday that one would have to choose, I just thought we had more to lose” is a set of lyrics reflecting lost love and the realization that becomes the dominant theme of the song. Mostly, the stripped and sincere Miley creates depth and complexity that transcends commercial pop.
A Tease, Then a Touch of Studio Magic
In the days leading up to the single’s release, Cyrus cleverly teased the song across her social media platforms. Still, fans were surprised when a black-and-white video preview appeared on her YouTube channel, just 48 hours before launch. Dressed in a simple yet elegant black gown, she offered insight into the track’s creative process. She noted that “More to Lose” was recorded mostly in a single take, emphasizing that raw emotion mattered more than technical flawlessness. On the contrary, she clarified that perfection was never the goal—what mattered was honesty. She wanted listeners to absorb every note as a chapter of a story and not simply a final product in hopes of radio play. This single was much more of a story song than her past songs and showed her growth not only as a performer but also as a songwriter.
Building Anticipation for Her Boldest Work Yet
However, "More to Lose" is just a taste of what fans should expect from Something Beautiful, which is expected on May 30, following three previous songs: "Prelude," "End of the World," and the title track, which all reveal a more contemplative Miley. Cyrus explained during a Spotify listening event in New York that she considers her next 13-track album, "not only my best album, but also my gayest," and regardless of what commercial impacts it may or may not have, she seems more determined than ever to keep trying out of pure self-expression and artistic integrity. After all, the depth of feeling and sonic scope of "More to Lose" raises the possibility that Something Beautiful could be her most profound and affecting work.
