Following the release of her debut studio album, The Hardest Part, GRAMMY nominated artist Noah Cyrus shares her newest single “Noah (Stand Still),” a powerful and heart-wrenching duet featuring her father, Billy Ray Cyrus.
The duet marks the first time that father/daughter pairing have worked together on a tune.
The raw single was written while Cyrus was in early recovery from a Xanax addiction after a visit to Billy Ray’s home in Nashville. As Noah hit one of her lowest points, her father was there to remind her to get grounded and simply stand still. This notion is nothing new for the Cyrus family, as this advice has been passed down from generation to generation, reinforcing the idea that “sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all.”
Billy Ray’s words of wisdom were so eye-opening for his 22-year-old daughter that she tattooed the phrase on her arm as a constant reminder. The award-winning star then used those words to write the opening track to The Hardest Part.
“Noah (Stand Still)” takes listeners on the journey of Cyrus’ struggles with recovery and depression. Billy Ray acts as a voice of reason, responding to Noah’s lyrics with pure love and fatherly advice, reassuring his daughter that everything will be okay.
Listen to “Noah (Stand Still)” here.
“So proud of @noahcyrus. You wrote a great song and delivered a killer performance. Honored to join you on this poignant track,” Billy Ray shared via Instagram.
“These songs all mean so much to me – they’re straight from my heart, my brain and my body,” said Cyrus of her 10-track project. “Every song is important to the story, and for the first time I’m revealing my complete and honest truth.”
Noah began to make waves in the music scene nearly 6 years ago. It wasn’t long before the star realized that the lifestyle that came with her passion for singing and performing had a very negative impact on her well-being. Cyrus began to spiral, coming to a crossroads by the end of 2020.
“I had a death wish,” Noah admitted. “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. By 2020 I was at my lowest low – I was suicidal and in an unhealthy co-dependent relationship. I was choosing drugs over my family, my friendships, myself – everything. And when the pandemic hit it gave me an excuse to further isolate myself. Anxiety and depression fully consumed me. I finally had a moment of clarity after I lost my grandmother. When she died, I wanted to be there for my mom, but was so emotionally and physically gone. I felt an enormous amount of guilt and the whole situation made me re-assess a lot of my decisions the past few years. Around the same time, I got out of my toxic relationship and weighed out my options – life or death. 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. December 15, 2022, will be my 2nd year anniversary, and I’m experiencing happiness and joy for the first time since I was a little kid.”
In the process of working on herself, Noah also welcomed a new team, focused on writing songs true to who she was and got in the studio with producer Mike Crossey. The multi-platinum singer took the reins on the project, expanding the sonic palette and overseeing arrangements.
“Creating the arrangements was the most fulfilling part of this record,” said Noah. “Mike and I were so driven and fully engulfed in the music. It was seamless – our brains connected into one. I found a safe place to make music with people I love and trust. The process was really healing for me.”
Cyrus also announced that she will be participating in an evening full of conversation and an intimate live performance at The GRAMMY Museum in New York City on Tuesday, October 18.
Noah is set to kick off her 23-stop North American headlining tour on October 4 in Phoenix, AZ. Gigi will act as direct support to the “July” singer.
Fans can also see Cyrus hit the stage in Austin, Texas for this year’s Austin City Limits Festival.
NOAH CYRUS TOUR DATES
10/4 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
10/5 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey
10/7 – 10/9 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10/9 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
10/10 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
10/11 – Fort Worth, TX – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
10/13 – Dallas, TX – Echo Lounge
10/14 – 10/16 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10/16 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
10/17 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
10/19 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
10/20 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA
10/21 – Washington D.C. – 9:30 Club
10/22 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
10/24 – Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
10/25 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix
10/27 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
10/28 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman
10/29 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theatre
10/31 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
11/1 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Grand at Complex
11/3 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
11/4 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
