Miley Recruits The All Stars of Rock ’n' Roll For New Cover of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters'

Miley is no stranger to experimenting with genre, style and her overall aesthetic. In fact, she is widely praised for her versatility and ability to stay relevant in the various movements of pop culture, without directly adhering to trends. 

Her previous albums have varied from country, pop, R&B, hip-hop, and rock, and Miley has excelled within them all; she is a musical chameleon, able to adapt to whichever stylistic territory she finds herself in.

Therefore, it's no surprise that Miley is also no stranger to creating genreless setlists too, covering classics like Blondie's 'Heart of Glass', and 'Gimme More' by Britney Spears.

 She has also treated fans to Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters' during her reputable Glastonbury show, which somehow made sense in a setlist containing 'Party In The USA' and 'Old Town Road', before releasing her official cover in June of this year.

This latest cover from Miley isn't without some helping hands, and features some impressive names. From legendary singer-songwriter, Elton John, to Metallica's very own bassist, Robert Trujillo, Red Hot Chilli Pepper's drummer, Chad Smith, and classical cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, it's "a concoction that no one would ever put together" Miley stated, in an interview with Capital FM. In the same interview, Miley also praised the tracks producer, Andrew Watt, who shared Miley's vision and had faith that this eclectic mix of artists would work, stating "You gotta have someone wild enough like Watt that will take that risk sometimes".

Miley's powerful, raspy vocals lend themself perfectly to the cover, helping the track stay true to the original's tense, eerie, but passionate nature. Her vocal control is remarkable, transitioning seamlessly between harmonies and octaves, complimented by the rich instrumentals. Specifically, the outro of strings and piano playing in counterpoint give a baroque-esque feel, which beautifully sees out the track, whilst adding a new element to the rock classic. 

The cover comes as part of a collaborative playlist involving 52 other artists, created in celebration of Metallica's 'The Black Album' to mark its 30th anniversary. But Miley is planning on treating fans to more than just one cover, and revealed to Interview Magazine, back in 2020, that she's working on an entire Metallica cover album.

If this cover and previous performances are anything to go by, Miley's cover album will be nothing short of brilliant, and will only contribute towards her already outstanding catalogue.

Rachel Feehan

@rachiefee @rachel_feehan 

Image: Nothing Else Matters Official Artwork