THE KIDS DON'T WANNA DANCE
Mert Alas
19 Sept 2026
Joshua Magazzu
Miley has released her highly anticipated 10th studio album, Bass Persuades. She has delivered a solid, cohesive record. This album feels so different, yet so Miley at the same time. It feels like an extension of her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation, sharing some of the same sonic DNA and emotional themes, yet forging it’s own distinct identity.
From the very first listen, I’m moving. The lead single “Bass Persuades” is one of the fiercest songs Miley has ever created, still not over it! The production is dynamic and undeniably powerful. Upon listening to the record in its entirety, it is clear this was destined to be the lead single and launch the new era.
Moving down to "Different Religion" I’m still dancing. It’s delightfully dirty, fierce, and almost intoxicatingly abrasive. It's a daring exploration for Miley, and it pays off. I especially love her vocal delivery on this song; it feels frisky. "Aftermath" swoops in with a techno sound as Miley belts the lyrics over a beat that gets your heart rate moving after a few mid-tempo tracks. The record dips in and out of dance tracks and mid-tempo ballads; I find the contrast really interesting, and it flows well. Each song’s placement feels purposeful and carefully crafted, contributing to the record's overall sense of unity.
"Innocent Ways" is a pussy pounding banger. This track puts the Bass in the title of the record. It feels like it was made in the realm of Endless Summer Vacation; it gives “River’s” older sister. Speaking of older sisters, the song's lyrics reflect on her relationship with her younger sister, Noah Cyrus. A theme that was also explored on Endless Summer Vacation.
Although the record closes with “Bass Persuades Remixx,” the last original song is "Snow." For me, this is arguably the album's most gorgeous track. Thematically, it tells her proposal story to her partner, Maxx Morando. It evokes warmth and nostalgia in me, with an almost cinematic ending that leaves a lasting impression and ties together the album's themes of growth, longing, and self-discovery. "Snow" feels like a gentle exhale after a whirlwind journey, making it the perfect closer.
All in all, this album cements Miley’s status as a versatile and ever-evolving pop icon. But with Bass Persuades, Miley doesn’t just want you to listen: she wants you to move. Every beat, every lyric, every drop of bass is a command from pop’s fiercest commander. In a world of social media trends, Miley reminds us to return to the dance floor and let the Bass Persuade you.
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
