After six long years, it is finally here. Noah Cyrus' album "The Hardest Part" was released on Sept 16 via Columbia Records and Records LLC, and it is essentially the singer-songwriter's diary of sorts.
Fans were left wondering why Cyrus has taken so long with releasing her album when she has been releasing singles here and there.
"I had a death wish." Cyrus revealed that her mental health was the culprit behind the long wait: "soon after I started having all this music success, I was introduced to downers, which gradually took over my life the next couple of years."
With the rest of the world confined in their homes due to the pandemic, Cyrus was battling her demons, noting that she was at her "lowest low" in 2020.
She also shared that she was suicidal and dependent on drugs, "I was choosing drugs over my family, my friendships, myself-everything."
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Epiphany
Cyrus had her "moment of clarity" following the death of her grandmother. She added that despite wanting to be of comfort for her mother, she was unable to do so because of her mental space, thus making her feel guilt and making her reassess her life and choices.
"I got out of my toxic relationship and weighed out my options-life or death," she continued. "I wanted to find purpose and hope. So, I chose life. I called everyone I needed to and asked for help. I did the work to get off the pills."
"The Hardest Part" is a reflection of Cyrus' journey from being severely mentally ill and suicidal to her road to redemption, looking for purpose and hope in her life.
"These songs all mean so much to me-they're straight from my heart, my brain, and my body," she said.
"Every song is important to the story, and for the first time I'm revealing my complete and honest truth."
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"The Hardest Part"
The Grammy-nominated singer's album boasts 10 songs, and it starts with "Noah (Stand Still)." She sang about being 20, not being sure whether she was even going to make it to her 21st birthday.
Despite the rough road she had to traverse prior to the release of the album, Cyrus is optimistic and thankful for the album, "Creating the arrangements was the most fulfilling part of this record."
She worked with Mike Crossey, producer for the Artic Monkeys, The 1975, Ben Howard, and more. She commended their teamwork, noting that the process was "seamless."
"I found a safe place to make music with people I love and trust. The process was really healing for me," she added.
Some songs off the album were already previously released like "Every Beginning Ends," a ballad about her parents' recent divorce, released in August. "I Burned Down LA," released in April, "Mr. Percocet," released in May, "Ready to Go," released in June.
The tracklist includes "Hardest Part," "I Just Want A Lover," "Unfinished," "My Side Of The Bed," and "Loretta's Song."
Cyrus ended the album with "Loretta's Song," a ballad about her late grandmother, whose death was the catalyst for her change.
Cyrus sings to her mother, reassuring and consoling her while she mourned. "She was the cutest, funniest little southern woman you've ever met. It gave me a lot of peace and comfort to know she felt safe leaving for a better place."
