Mastering the "Plastic Hearts" Rock Ballad
Released as a single from her rock-inspired album Plastic Hearts, "Angels Like You" showcases Miley Cyrus's incredible lower register and her gritty, emotional belt. It is a song about acknowledging one's own flaws in a relationship, and the vocal delivery needs to reflect that vulnerability.
To sing this well, you need to be comfortable in your chest voice. Unlike many modern pop songs that live in a high "head voice," this track demands a grounded, resonant sound that builds into a powerful rock belt in the chorus.
AI Coach Tip: Watch the Low Notes
The verses dip down to E3 and F3. Many singers lose volume here. Focus on "chest resonance"—feeling the vibration in your sternum—to keep these low notes audible and warm without pushing your chin down.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Control)
The song starts intimately. The lines "Flowers in hand, waiting for me" sit right at the bottom of the average female range. The key here is breath support. If you run out of air, your vocal cords will fry trying to produce the low pitch.
The Trap: Avoid "vocal fry" on the low notes unless it is intentional for style. Keep the tone clear to contrast with the rasp later in the song.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Build
As you move into "I know that you're wrong for me," the melody begins to ascend. You need to start lifting your soft palate to create more space. This is the transition zone where you move from a dark, low chest voice into a brighter, louder mix.
- Dynamics: Start the pre-chorus at a medium volume (mezzo-forte) and gradually get louder to set up the explosion of the chorus.
- Placement: Shift the resonance from your chest up toward your "mask" (the front of your face) to help the sound carry.
Phase 3: The Chorus Belt (Power & Grit)
The chorus ("I'm everything they said I would be") is a full-throated belt reaching up to C5. This requires energy and confidence. Miley uses a lot of "twang" here—a narrowing of the vocal tract that makes the voice sound piercing and powerful without requiring excessive air pressure.
The "Miley Rasp": Miley has a naturally raspy voice, but you can emulate this safely by engaging your false folds slightly (think of the sound of lifting a heavy object). Do NOT grind your true vocal cords together, as this leads to injury. The AI Coach can detect if you are straining too hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted note in the main melody is a C5. However, the emotional intensity makes it feel higher. Mastery of mixed voice is essential here.
If the verses are too low for your voice, you can transpose the song up +2 or +3 semitones using the Singing Coach AI app. This puts the low notes in a more comfortable range for Sopranos.
Miley uses "cry" in her voice—a slight whimper sound within the tone. Practice sliding into notes from slightly below the pitch to add that bluesy, rock feel.
