Miley’s Secret Playlist Leaks: Is Pop’s Wild Child Preparing a 90s Noise-Rock Revolution?

Late last night, the pop universe held its breath as a secret, public-facing playlist on Miley Cyrus’s personal profile was spotted by eagle-eyed music insiders. The 19-track mood board offers an unvarnished look at the sonic blueprint for her highly anticipated next studio album, and it signals a complete departure from polished radio pop.

The playlist reads like a masterclass in 90s noise-rock, grunge, and iconic alt-pop. Featured tracks include Hole’s blistering 'Doll Parts', Patti Smith’s 'Dancing Barefoot', Sneaker Pimps’ atmospheric '6 Underground', and heavy hits from Sonic Youth, The Stooges, Joan Jett, and The Velvet Underground. Within minutes of discovery, the playlist was set to private, but the message was already sent loud and clear: Miley is getting heavy.

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For long-time observers of Cyrus, this move isn't entirely out of left field. Her raspy, gravel-inflected vocal tone has previously shone on live covers of classic rock staples, leading many to believe that a full-fledged rock album is the natural evolution of her artistry. One observer noted that Miley’s voice possesses the exact raw, unpolished grit required to pull off guitar-driven noise-pop without sounding like a pop star playing dress-up.

However, not everyone in the industry is convinced. Skeptics point out that curated public playlists have increasingly become a favorite aesthetic tool for major pop stars seeking instant critical credibility. Another critic argued that dropping names like Sonic Youth and Sneaker Pimps is easy, but actually releasing a dirty, radio-unfriendly rock record in 2026 takes a level of commercial risk that major labels rarely permit.

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While Cyrus plots her next move, the current charts are already feeling the shockwaves of a massive new music Friday. UK powerhouse trio FLO just released 'THERAPY AT THE CLUB', blending late-90s R&B harmonies with modern club beats, while Ravyn Lenae’s 'Blue Island' pushes alternative soul into dreamlike territory. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande surprised audiences with a brand-new vocal project, 'petal – hello, me again.. i love to sing some more', reinforcing that the battle for pop dominance is fiercer than ever.

Whether Miley delivers on her gritty alt-rock promise or pivots back to pop polish remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding her next move has officially taken over the music world.

Our hosts jump straight into the middle of this high-stakes genre debate on today's episode of the podcast.