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River (Miley Cyrus song)

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"River"
Single by Miley Cyrus
from the album Endless Summer Vacation
ReleasedMarch 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)
StudioRidgemont High (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length2:43
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Miley Cyrus singles chronology
"Flowers"
(2023) 		"River"
(2023)
Music video
"River" on YouTube

"River" is a song by American singer Miley Cyrus. It was released on March 10, 2023, through Columbia Records as the second single from Cyrus' eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation (2023). It was written by the singer, Justin Tranter, and the song producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson.

Background and release

On December 31, 2022, while hosting her NBC live special Miley's New Year's Eve Party, Cyrus announced the release of the new single "Flowers".[1] Following its January 12, 2023, release, the song experienced widespread critical acclaim,[2][3] as well as a global commercial success with a minimal promotion.[4][5] "Flowers" became Cyrus' second number one hit in the United States, hitting the top spot on Billboard Hot 100 on chart issue January 28, staying there for six weeks.[6][7] A week before the lead single's release, the singer unveiled that her next album will be called Endless Summer Vacation with a release date of March 10.[8] Three days before the album's release, Cyrus started teasing "River" through videos on her social media.[9] She shared a part of the song's instrumental,[10] as well as its lyrics.[11]

Cyrus said that "River" begun as much sadder song, since its development started in the turbulent time of her life. However following the party, she attended, the track "evolved from a trouble where it felt like it never stopped raining, to then raining down love".[12] The singer added, that in order to take part in the event, she needed to "bring [her] gay best friend".[13] During the interview for Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions), she admitted that "River" is about ejaculation.[14] However this word was bleeped,[4] resulting in theories regarding what she actually said.[15][16] "River" shares the same producer team with the previous single "Flowers"–it was produced by Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, with additional writing done by the singer and Justin Tranter.[17][18]

On March 13, 2023, it was officially serviced to adult contemporary radio and its hot and modern sub-formats in the United States.[19]

Composition

"River" is a dance-pop and synth-pop song with elements of synthwave, post-disco and acid pop,[20][21][22][23] described by Cyrus as a "dancefloor banger".[14][24] The song features Roland 303 acid line, pulsating synths, and guitars.[10][25][26] Clash's Emily Swingle opined it is reminiscent of Cyrus's 2010 album Can't Be Tamed.[20] Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan called it a "retro synthpop banger," adding it would fit on her 2020 album Plastic Hearts.[21] George Griffiths of the Official Charts Company described it as a "new wave-esque" tune, consists of "wonky" instrumental inspired by 1980's synth-pop and electronic music.[17] Chris Willman of Variety noted the song for the inclusion of "retro synth sounds" and further found inspiration from the style of Giorgio Moroder.[27] Uproxx's Alex Gonzalez wrote that it follows the "dance-ready theme established by 'Flowers'".[10] Nick Levine of NME felt that it "feels like a relative of her Stevie Nicks-inspired hit 'Midnight Sky'."[28] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian called it an EDM anthem with "an undeniable dancefloor rush," despite its "tendency to flicker between squelchy video game sounds and out of kilter hip hop breaks."[29] Mary Siroky of Consequence called it "the album's disco-inspired centerpiece," comparing it to two albums from 2020, Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia and Lady Gaga's Chromatica.[30]

Helen Brown of The Independent described that the song is about "straightforward romancer about a paramour who's restored her faith after the love drought."[31] Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos felt that it is "buzzing with the hope of new love and the end of sexual and romantic droughts."[32]

Critical reception

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine noted the song's "enticing, high-stakes chorus worthy of Cyrus's fierce vocals and personality."[22] David Cobbals of The Line of Best Fit called it a "confused mash of one too many ideas that leave it being more underwhelming than interesting."[33]

Music video

The black-and-white music video for "River" was directed by Jacob Bixenman.[24] On March 7, 2023 Cyrus announced its release date and shared its teaser.[34] The music video premiered on March 10, 2023.[35] It features Cyrus in a minidress, dancing under a spotlight on a raised, lit-up platform, joined by a group of shirtless men. Near the end, water begins to rain.[26][24] Erica Gonzales of Elle called the video "sleek and sexy,"[24] while Billboard's Glenn Rowley called it "moody".[35]

Live performance

Cyrus performed "River" live for the first time, in the documentary concert special, Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions), which was released on Disney+ on March 10, 2023.[36]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal, Pitchfork and the liner notes of Endless Summer Vacation.[37][38][39]

Recording

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Legaspi, Althea (January 1, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Ushers in 2023 With New Song Announcement". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Pareles, Jon; Caramanica, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (January 13, 2023). "Everything But the Girl's Long-Awaited Return, and 12 More New Songs – The New York Times". The New York Times (Press release). Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Siroky, Mary (January 13, 2023). ""Flowers" By Miley Cyrus Is Our Song of the Week". Consequence. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Grow, Kory (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Dances With Sea of Shirtless Men in New 'River' Video". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Griffiths, George (March 1, 2023). "Big Pop Girls: What a Number 1 album could mean to the campaigns of Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey's new eras". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Trust, Gary (January 24, 2023). "Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Trust, Gary (February 27, 2023). "Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers' Rules Hot 100 for Sixth Week, PinkPantheress & Ice Spice Rise to No. 3". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  8. ^ "Miley Cyrus to Release New Album 'Endless Summer Vacation' in March, Drops Teaser Trailer". Variety. January 5, 2023. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  9. ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 8, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Shares the Inspiration Behind 'River' Ahead of 'Endless Summer Vacation' Release". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Gonzalez, Alex (March 7, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Teased Her New Single, 'River,' Just Days Before 'Endless Summer Vacation' Arrives". Uproxx. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  11. ^ Major, Michael (March 9, 2023). "Video: Miley Cyrus Shares 'River' Visual Sneak Peek Ahead of 'Endless Summer Vacation' Album Release". Broadway World. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Viswanath, Jake (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus' Hannah Montana-Esque Song 'River' Has A Hidden Meaning". Bustle. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Duncan, Charlie (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus shares hilarious story of how a gays-only dance party inspired her new song 'River'". PinkNews. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Veglia, John (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus shares video for 'nasty' dancefloor banger 'River'". Hot Press. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  15. ^ Veloso, Lea (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus' 'River' Lyrics Are 'F—king Nasty' According To The Singer—Is The Song About Liam Hemsworth?". StyleCaster. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Jeffrey, Joyann (March 10, 2023). "The meaning of Miley Cyrus' new song 'River,' according to Miley Cyrus". Today. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Griffiths, George (March 10, 2023). "Listen to Miley Cyrus' new single River now: Is this the successor to Flowers' Number 1 crown?". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  18. ^ Curto, Justin (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Is on the Lookout for a Summer Fling in 'River'". Vulture.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates". All Access. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation". Clash. March 10, 2023. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (March 10, 2023). "Stream Miley Cyrus' new album 'Endless Summer Vacation' & watch the 'River' video". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Endless Summer Vacation Review: A Blissful, If Predictable, Comedown". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  23. ^ Smyth, David (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation album review: restlessly roams between musical genres". Evening Standard. Retrieved March 10, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ a b c d Gonzales, Erica (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Says the Meaning Behind Her 'River' Lyrics Is 'F***ing Nasty'". Elle. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  25. ^ Petridis, Alexis (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus: Endless Summer Vacation review – gossip, grit and glorious pop". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Skinner, Tom (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus shares stylish video for 'nasty' new single 'River'". NME. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  27. ^ Willman, Chris (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Spends Her 'Endless Summer Vacation' Deftly Balancing Mellow Gold and Dance-Pop: Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  28. ^ Levine, Nick (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation review: a potent reclamation of power". NME. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  29. ^ Petridis, Alexis (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus: Endless Summer Vacation review – gossip, grit and glorious pop". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  30. ^ Siroky, Mary (March 10, 2023). "With Endless Summer Vacation, Miley Cyrus Glows on a Vocal-Forward Tour of the California Coast". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  31. ^ Brown, Helen (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus, Endless Summer Vacation review: A lovely, long bask in the pop star's maturing talent". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  32. ^ Spanos, Brittany (March 10, 2023). "'Endless Summer Vacation': What We Learned From Miley Cyrus' Sharpest, Most Independent Album Yet". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  33. ^ Cobbald, David (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  34. ^ Kaufman, Gil (March 7, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Drops Moody Teaser for 'River' Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  35. ^ a b Rowley, Glenn (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Drops 'River' Music Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  36. ^ Paul, Larisha (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Needs No Audience or Introduction in 'Endless Summer Vacation' Special". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  37. ^ "Credits / Endless Summer Vacation/ Miley Cyrus". Tidal. March 10, 2023. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  38. ^ Hussey, Allison (March 10, 2023). "Miley Cyrus Releases New Album Endless Summer Vacation: Listen and Read the Full Credits". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  39. ^ Endless Summer Vacation (CD liner notes). Miley Cyrus. Columbia Records. 2023.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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