Brayson Cyrus Finds His Musical Voice: A New Stage of Creativity with the Single "Know This"

The 31-year-old singer and songwriter Brayson Cyrus has long sought to clearly define his own sound. After creating the album Javelina in 2021, where he experimented with all his favorite styles—from psychedelia to folk and American alt-country—Brayson Cyrus reached an important conclusion. Instead of trying to fit multiple genres and influences into a single work, he decided to focus on one direction and develop it with maximum depth. This creative turning point led to the birth of a new project, starting with the emotional single “Know This,” featuring his older sister, Grammy-winning Miley Cyrus.

From energy to meaning: how the single “Know This” came about

When Brayson Cyrus began composing a collection of songs for his new album, his advisors and colleagues recommended adding more energy. This suggestion led him to a fruitful collaboration with composer Jordan Lindley. Instead of the usual approach, where lyrics are created first, this time they focused on creating bright and joyful sounds. “We made the track in just an hour,” recalls the musician, emphasizing that this pace allowed him not to get caught up in the words and to concentrate on the energy.

However, after establishing the desired musical foundation, Brayson Cyrus returned to the lyrics. In the chorus, they repeatedly sang the same line, so they had to rethink the lyrics. Once the right energy for the song was achieved, Brayson Cyrus and his co-writer delved deeper into the meaning. The final verses reflected memories of his hometown of Franklin, Tennessee, where his family moved from south Nashville. The chorus, however, was dedicated to the experience of living in Los Angeles, where the family relocated before he started high school. This binary structure—geographical shifts from Franklin to Los Angeles and then back to Nashville—became the basis of the song’s narrative.

Miley Cyrus and unexpected vocal power: the first family collaboration

Notably, Brayson Cyrus had never previously worked in the studio with family members, despite being surrounded by renowned musicians—his sister Noah Cyrus, father Billy Ray Cyrus, and globally famous Miley Cyrus. The full version of the track was already finished—with complete production and arrangements—but Brayson felt something was missing. “The song lacked power and strength,” he admits. When he pondered who could bring the necessary vocal force, the idea of Miley came to mind.

Interestingly, his sound engineer, working on the recording, also mentioned her name. Both understood that, despite family ties, such ideas don’t come easily at first. However, once this realization set in, they both agreed that few possess such vocal potential and power as Miley Cyrus.

The next day, Brayson contacted his sister. The response was quick and positive: “Yes, send me the stems.” He expected to receive one minus track, but Miley returned 15 separate files with various vocal layers, harmonies, and overlays. The quality of her work impressed the musician. After listening to these harmonic layers without the backing track, Brayson immediately understood: this was perfect for the song. He incorporated the material almost unchanged, deliberately keeping it as dry as possible, avoiding excessive reverb to let the raw power of his sister’s voice shine through.

Rethinking musical direction: from experimentation to focus

For many years, Brayson Cyrus worked with a variety of artists and styles. His collaborations included the song “Here in the Middle” with Sierra Landy, projects with iconic bands Fleet Foxes and Old Sea Brigade, work with American music legend Steve Earl, and alternative artist Orville Peck. Each partnership expanded his creative range but also highlighted the need to define his own path clearly.

For his new album, Brayson Cyrus chose a different approach. He focused on lyrics, acoustic guitar, and melodies, making them the foundation and building everything else around that. In the past, when Brayson Cyrus was not involved in producing his recordings himself, he lacked such a holistic vision. But when he took full responsibility for production during the first three to four months of work, the process changed dramatically. He built the foundation brick by brick, making each decision consciously.

“If something sounds good but doesn’t fit the album’s context, I remove it,” explains Brayson Cyrus. “If an element distracts from something more important, I get rid of it.” This discipline allowed him to identify what truly resonates with his audience and double down on that focus.

Whereas before Brayson Cyrus aimed for versatility, now his main goal is simple and clear: to create music that makes people happy. These could be songs to listen to in the car, during a bike ride, on a hike, or just in everyday moments. The main thing is that the melody lifts spirits and helps pass the time.

Musical portrait: how Brayson Cyrus describes his new sound

When Brayson Cyrus characterizes his current sound, he chooses a brief and concise phrase: “folk-pop music.” Inspired by diverse influences from genre titans, Brayson Cyrus sees his work as a natural fusion of pop music with acoustic guitar. This combination allows him to maintain accessibility and versatility of pop formats while adding organic depth and folk tradition.

In his view, his current creative direction is pop music performed with acoustic guitar, where each element interacts harmoniously. This philosophy reflects his own journey toward self-discovery as a musician.

Collaborations of the present and future: family and inspirations

On his new album, Brayson Cyrus plans to feature an impressive lineup of guests. Besides Miley Cyrus, there will be Tyler Ramsey from the iconic band Band of Horses, his co-writer Jordan Lindley, and the experimental collective Old Sea Brigade. Additionally, the artist hints at the possibility of other family members appearing in future projects.

When it comes to distant dreams of collaborations, Brayson Cyrus admits that his two most inspiring artists of all time are American singer Regina Spektor and British electronic musician Imogen Heap. His most desired collaboration would be working with Imogen Heap.

Plans for the near future: concerts, festivals, and growth

Brayson Cyrus is on the verge of a new stage in his career. The question of touring and live performances is becoming increasingly relevant. For now, the artist and his team are exploring options: whether it will be intimate shows in cafes and small venues, appearances at major festivals, or a full-scale tour.

“If we go on tour or perform at festivals, we want to deliver the best and most fun show possible,” confirms Brayson Cyrus. At this stage, he is confident of one thing: festival appearances are inevitable, and a full tour is actively being planned.

Brayson Cyrus’s new single “Know This,” featuring his sister Miley, is already available on all major streaming platforms, opening a new chapter in the creative journey of this ambitious musician.