Miley hits the limit of reinvention on Bass Persuades

Miley Cyrus, who has continually redefined her musical identity since her early years as a child star, has unveiled her tenth studio album, Bass Persuades. This latest effort finds the artist navigating themes of love and personal steadiness, contrasting with the more turbulent and experimental phases that characterized much of her earlier work.

Throughout her career, Cyrus has undergone a series of stylistic transformations. From the rap-infused, EDM-driven sounds of Bangerz in 2013 to the introspective, psychedelic tones on Dead Petz in 2015, and subsequently exploring country-pop with Younger Now in 2017, followed by a grunge-rock aesthetic on Plastic Hearts in 2020, she has demonstrated a rare versatility. Her last two albums, Endless Summer Vacation (2023) and Something Beautiful (2025), leaned into more conventional pop frameworks, setting a precedent that Bass Persuades both continues and complicates.

The album opens with a promise of high energy and dance influences, but this momentum does not sustain. The title track attempts to channel nostalgia for a youthful dance culture while commenting on contemporary challenges such as drug dangers and ecological changes. Despite its rhythmic appeal, the song struggles to achieve the anthemic clarity found in classics by artists like Madonna, whose work often balanced social commentary with irresistible dance beats.

One of the album’s highlights includes "Different Religion," featuring Model/Actriz, where Cyrus embraces her sexuality with a confident edge. This track stands out as more coherent and authentic compared to others, where her lyrical narratives feel more personally grounded rather than abstract or scattered.

However, much of the album is characterized by mid-tempo pop ballads that lack distinctiveness and emotional impact. The sobriety Cyrus has maintained since ceasing alcohol and cannabis use influences the record’s tone, which is notably more restrained and less whimsical than previous projects. The playful and provocative persona that once permeated her lyrics has been largely replaced by more generalized expressions of love and life.

Tracks like "Orbit" and "REDLIGHTS" deliver conventional pop sounds that could easily come from any mainstream artist, with some debate arising over the originality of the latter due to claims of similarities with a song by French singer Amanda Lear. Elsewhere, songs intended to convey personal milestones, such as her engagement, are presented in ways that do not fully capitalize on her distinct voice or storytelling abilities.

Despite these shortcomings, moments of genuine personality emerge. "Innocent Ways," a brooding rock number, reveals a protective and intimate side of Cyrus, addressing familial concerns with a raw emotional undercurrent. Yet, the album also includes tracks with odd interludes and experimental elements that fail to coalesce into a compelling whole.

Bass Persuades reflects an artist at a crossroads, balancing the desire to evolve with the challenge of maintaining a unique artistic identity. Cyrus’s ability to captivate audiences in the past often hinged on her fearless exploration of different genres and unfiltered self-expression. This latest album suggests a period of consolidation and reflection, though it leaves questions about how she will integrate her diverse influences and experiences moving forward.

While Cyrus’s vocal prowess remains undeniable, the album’s arrangements and songwriting choices do not consistently showcase her strengths. This results in a collection that, although polished, lacks the standout moments that have defined her major hits over the years.

Details about the full creative process behind Bass Persuades remain limited, but the album’s reception indicates a mixed response, emphasizing the complexities of sustaining innovation while seeking stability in both life and art. As Miley Cyrus continues to navigate her multifaceted career, this record stands as a testament to her ongoing journey of self-discovery and reinvention.