Alt-J Samples Miley Cyrus, We Can't Stop Listening
"I'm a female rebel."

It seems Alt-J has come down with a case of BANGERZ fever. The English indie rock band has sampled Miley Cyrus' "4x4," in a new track off their forthcoming album This Is All Yours called "Hunger Of The Pine." The electro track turns Cyrus' sound on its head, looping the line "I'm a female rebel," against bold, low-tempo instrumentals. The sample is a burst of fire amidst the sullen ballad, whose lyrics revolve around the pain of longing for someone.
"[It's] composed entirely of new and spontaneous ideas that arose during writing sessions for the second album," Alt-J's Gus Unger-Hamilton told NPR. "It was written very quickly using some guitar chords and sounds being layered on Ableton, and seemed to signal a bit of a new sound for us. The lyrics mainly suggest the idea that missing someone — pining — can be a physical pain much like hunger."
Considering that Alt-J was awarded a Mercury Prize for their debut album An Awesome Wave, this is a pretty cool nod from the Brit blokes — Miley, you get it bae! Cyrus has previously used Alt-J's "Fitzpleasure" in her live BANGERZ shows. Perhaps, this is the beginning of a beautiful, synth-heavy kinship between the band and pop star.
This Is All Yours drops on September 22.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Prince William and Princess Kate's "First Priority" Is "Very Different" Than Queen Elizabeth's Was
The Prince and Princess of Wales are changing the modern monarchy.
By Kristin Contino
-
Hate to Break It to You, But Tariffs Are About to Make Your Beauty Routine a Lot Pricier
Here are the treatments that are most vulnerable to price hikes.
By Danielle Sinay
-
My Favorite Victoria Beckham Beauty Staples Nail the Balance Between Rocker Chick and Upper East Side Mom
See the photos for proof.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
In 'Sinners,' Music From the Past Liberates Us From the Present
In its musical moments, Ryan Coogler's vampire blockbuster makes a powerful statement about Black culture, ancestry, and art.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
After 25 Years, 'The Virgin Suicides' Is Still Influencing Artists Like Me
To coincide with the film's anniversary, Mia Berrin from Pom Pom Squad reflects on what it's meant to her artistic journey.
By Sadie Bell
-
Rico Nasty Shares What Music Shaped Her—and What's on Her Playlist Now
With her new album 'LETHAL' coming soon, the rapper opens up about her musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
By Sadie Bell
-
In 'Opus,' Cult Leaders and Pop Stars Are One in the Same
The A24 film's costume and production designers open up about crafting fictional pop icon Moretti’s style and mysterious estate.
By Sadie Bell
-
The Melancholic Sound of Success
The artist known as Japanese Breakfast opens up about finding her sound on a new album after experiencing whirlwind success.
By Sadie Bell
-
LISA, Doja Cat, and Raye Perform a Glamorous 'James Bond' Tribute at the 2025 Oscars
The Academy Awards are for the pop girls, actually.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Aly & AJ Share What Music Shaped Them—And What's on Their Playlist Now
With their new album 'Silver Deliverer' coming soon, the sister act opens up about their musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
By Sadie Bell
-
Beyoncé Wins Album of the Year for the First Time Ever at the 2025 Grammys
The superstar—who has the most wins in the award show's history—took home the biggest prize of the night for 'Cowboy Carter.'
By Sadie Bell