Bangerz is Released

Bangerz is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Miley Cyrus; it was released on October 4, 2013 by RCA Records.

Opting to re-establish her music career instead of focusing on her film career as originally planned, Cyrus began planning the project in 2012. Work continued into 2013, at which time she left her previous label Hollywood Records and subsequently joined RCA Records. Described by Cyrus as "dirty south hip-hop", Bangerz represents a musical departure from her earlier work, which she has grown to feel "disconnected" from. As executive producers, Cyrus and Mike Will Made It collaborated with hip hop producers including Cirkut, Pharrell Williams, and will.i.am to achieve Cyrus' desired new sound. Their efforts resulted in a primarily pop record, with lyrical themes that revolve largely around romance. It features guest vocals from several new partners, including pop singer Britney Spears and rappers Big Sean, French Montana, Future, Ludacris, and Nelly.

Bangerz received mixed to positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who appreciated its overall production and originality, but were ambivalent towards Cyrus' public persona. The record debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 270,000 copies. In doing so, it became Cyrus' fifth non-consecutive number-one album, including earlier soundtracks in which she performed as her former titular character Hannah Montana. It was the third-highest opening week for a female artist in 2013, behind Beyoncé by Beyoncé and Prism by Katy Perry. Bangerz was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after moving one million units. The album additionally reached the peak position in Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, and charted strongly on record charts in additional international territories.