Miley Cyrus’ ‘Bass Persuades’: Key Tracks and Collaborations
A new Miley Cyrus album is always an event. Ten albums into an ever-changing career in pop, she has shown she can surprise, delight, and innovate, leaving fans guessing which version of the artist they will encounter next. That unpredictability is central to her appeal. Cyrus reportedly worked with great speed on her latest record, Bass Persuades, which arrives less than 18 months after 2025’s Something Beautiful. Here are the key takeaways from this adventurous 10-track collection.
‘Bass Persuades’ Was a True First-Single Fakeout
Miley understands the mechanics of a lead single, but with Bass Persuades, she chose to reset expectations. While the title track leans into a cynical sentiment about the state of dance music, it serves as a misleading introduction. The album itself is far sharper and more nuanced than its opening track suggests, proving that Cyrus remains a master of subverting listener expectations.
The ‘Dead Petz’ Era Rises Again
For long-time fans, the 2015 space-rock opus Miley Cyrus & her Dead Petz remains a high-water mark for her experimental artistry. She revisits that psychedelic, prog-influenced territory on the track “Orbit.” By blending Pink Floyd-esque synths with a down-home country twang, Cyrus creates a soundscape that feels both cosmic and grounded, proving she hasn’t lost her taste for the avant-garde.
Miley Has Seen the Light of Her Own Religion
The album highlight “Different Religion” is a divine revelation of sorts. Opening with heavy, distorted riffs reminiscent of Black Sabbath and Duran Duran, the track features guest contributions from Model/Actriz. It is a bold, industrial-tinged exploration of theology and desire, showcasing Cyrus at her most provocative and sonically daring.
Miley Knows Her Noise Rock
Cyrus’s collaboration with Brooklyn noise band Model/Actriz on “Different Religion” highlights her impeccable taste in underground music. By integrating guitarist Jack Wetmore’s ice-pick riffs and frontman Cole Haden’s vocal intensity, Cyrus bridges the gap between pop stardom and the gritty, electric thrill of the noise-rock scene.
Maxx Morando Is Behind the Boards Once More
Since 2021, Miley has maintained a close creative partnership with her fiancé, Maxx Morando. Having contributed to Endless Summer Vacation and Something Beautiful, Morando produced the majority of Bass Persuades. Cyrus has praised his “genreless flow,” noting that his influence helps her navigate the musical blur she prefers to inhabit.
‘Neon Signs’ and the Complexity of Romance
On the fractured, electro-infused ballad “Neon Signs,” Cyrus duets with Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow. The track is a masterclass in atmosphere, utilizing Seventies-inspired soundscapes to frame a conversation that is simultaneously intimate, surreal, and unsettling. It stands as one of the most compelling moments on the record.
Family Ties on ‘Innocent Ways’
Despite dropping her surname for this era, Cyrus remains deeply connected to her roots. On the propulsive “Innocent Ways,” she offers a poignant, protective message to her sister, likely Noah Cyrus. The track serves as a reminder that while her sound continues to evolve, her personal history remains a vital source of inspiration.
