"Malibu" is a song recorded by American singer Miley Cyrus as the lead single from Cyrus's upcoming sixth studio album, which is set for release in October 2017. It was written by Cyrus and Oren Yoel, and produced by Yoel. The song was released on May 11, 2017 by RCA Records. It premiered on Beats 1 on May 11, 2017 and was subsequently released for streaming on Apple Music. The song discusses Cyrus's relationship with current fiancé and fellow The Last Song co-star, Liam Hemsworth. Critics viewed "Malibu" as indicative of Cyrus's transition into becoming a more mellow artist, and more removed from her previously controversial image, while also drawing comparisons to Sheryl Crow. The song became Cyrus' eighteenth entry on the Billboard Hot 100, and her eighth top-ten entry, peaking at number 10 so far.

"It can so easily be generalized into a love song. I had to really heal myself individually, and then this song – about finding a new love with an old love, maybe you're finding a new freedom – is also about individuality and the freedom in that. And realizing that certain doors lead you to one place you never imagined you would be, and if that can be through a person, that's really awesome."

Following the release of her fifth studio album, Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, Cyrus resumed working on her upcoming sixth studio album. Cyrus announced in October 2016 that she was re-engaged to actor and current fiancé Liam Hemsworth, with whom she starred in the Nicholas Sparks film adaptation of the novel of the same name, The Last Song. Cyrus wrote "Malibu" while taking an Uber on her way to her first day on The Voice.

"Malibu" was first announced in a May 2017 cover story for Billboard magazine, where Cyrus announced that the song, which would be the lead single from her upcoming sixth studio album, would be released on May 11th, 2017. In the same interview, she also addressed being sober for 3 weeks prior, and noting that this had an impact on the song. While its title references the city of Malibu, California, the song mainly discusses her relationship with Hemsworth. Cyrus described the song as being about "finding a new love with an old love", and about finding a "new freedom" in that. The production of the song was handled by Oren Yoel, with whom Cyrus worked on songs such as "Adore You".

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