On the title track of her 10th album, “Bass Persuades,” Miley – just Miley – urges a disconnect from technological distractions.
“Glued your eyes to the telephone screen, but you missed the hit without MTV,” she sings in the kinetic song that blends elements of ’90s-era Madonna, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga into a luscious sonic smoothie.
On the rest of “Bass Persuades,” out now, Miley produces more of those heartbeats that palpitate – unless she wants them to decelerate for professions of love.
The 10 songs on the album, including an extra-caffeinated “Bass Persuades Remixx,” form an efficient pop collection rife with confessions, sensuality and Miley’s unfiltered vulnerability. All are coated with her unique vocal timbre that, even when shaded
with electronic processing, is distinctively Miley.
Here are some of the standout tracks on “Bass Persuades.”
‘Let’s Get Married’
This sweet encomium directed at her fiancé, Maxx Morando, recalls the loping beat of her 2025 hit “End of the World”and furthers that song’s credo of living for the day. “What did I do to deserve you?” she asks sincerely, as Burt Bacharach-ian strings and a sumptuous backing chorus elevate what could have been a standard valentine into a blossom of a ballad.
‘Orbit’
Miley talks often about her adoration of Pink Floyd, as she did when explaining how last year’s concept album “Something Beautiful” was inspired by “The Wall.”The dreamy backdrop of this declaration of devotion also conjures the musical magic of the venerable psychedelic rockers. But it’s her words – “my feet are off the ground/whenever you’re around/I wanna orbit you” – that best examine the gravitational pull of emotional surrender.
‘Neon Signs’
Several tracks on “Bass Persuades” – “Different Religion” with Model/Actriz and “Aftermath” among them – lean on electro-clang and cold beats as musical propellers. But “Neon Signs,” featuring Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow, favors blooping synths and an off-kilter rhythm reminiscent of the Thompson Twins and other ‘80s New Wavers. There is something intoxicating about Miley’s vocals that glide with woozy sensuality as she sings about the trappings of celebrity and unapologetic hookups: “I may not be your kind/but I could be your late night company.”
‘Innocent Ways’
The most blatantly personal song on the album puts Miley’s sister, Noah Cyrus, in the spotlight as she unravels years of family tension (“I kinda caved when I know better/I should've never sent that letter”) and regrets (“I tried to save all of her innocent ways/grace comes with age, but don't tell her”). The music is tightly coiled on the verses and exhales on the chorus, a musical metaphor for decades of Cyrus drama that Miley seems intent to leave behind.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miley tackles fame, love and family on new album
