By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Los Angeles, The landscape of modern pop music is undergoing a tectonic shift as one of its most enduring figures sheds her surname and redefines her creative boundaries. Miley, the artist formerly known as Miley Cyrus, has officially entered a new era with the surprise release of her latest studio album, Bass Persuades. This new body of work arrives as a swift follow-up to her 2024 project, Something Beautiful, signaling a period of intense productivity and a desire to strip away the artifice of her public persona. By adopting a mononym, the singer joins the ranks of legendary icons who require only a single name to command global attention, yet the music on Bass Persuades suggests she is more interested in artistic depth than mere branding.
The release of Bass Persuades serves as a definitive statement of independence. Produced in large part by her frequent collaborator Kid Harpoon alongside her fiancé, Maxx Morando, the album is a sophisticated blend of indie sensibilities, avant-garde textures, and the raw vocal power that has become Miley’s trademark. The project does not shy away from bold collaborations, featuring contributions from the Brooklyn-based noise-punk outfit Model/Actriz and Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt. These partnerships indicate a pivot toward a more experimental sound, one that prioritizes rhythmic complexity and atmospheric production over traditional Top 40 structures.
Reflecting on the rapid creation of the album, Miley took to Instagram to share the personal philosophy behind the record. She noted that while the project came together quickly, its foundations were built over two decades of life in the spotlight. For Miley, the album is a sonic map of her journey—a reflection of her time in the industry and the eventual peace she found by choosing to decelerate her lifestyle. "Once I started wishing to land a role that would make LA my home, it’s been nonstop," she shared with her followers. This sense of homecoming and tranquility is woven throughout the tracklist, which balances high-energy "bass-heavy" persuasion with moments of quiet, introspective bliss.
The technical architecture of Bass Persuades is as impressive as its list of performers. The album features a dual approach to mixing, utilizing the legendary Mark “Spike” Stent for several tracks to achieve a polished, wide-screen sound, while enlisting Dave Fridmann—famed for his work with The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala—for others. This combination suggests a record that oscillates between crisp, modern pop and psychedelic, layered experimentation. The presence of Randy Merrill on mastering duties ensures a cohesive listening experience across these varied sonic landscapes.
The album opens with the title track, "Bass Persuades," a mission statement produced by a powerhouse team including Kid Harpoon, Michael Pollack, and Maxx Morando. The track sets the tone with a heavy emphasis on rhythm, featuring bass work by Aaron Shapiro and Kid Harpoon. The inclusion of James King on saxophone adds a soulful, brassy layer to the electronic-heavy arrangement, while background vocals from Pollack and Kid Harpoon provide a lush harmonic bed for Miley’s lead performance.
The second track, "Different Religion," introduces the first major collaboration of the record, featuring Model/Actriz. This track is a masterclass in tension, blending Miley’s melodic sensibilities with the jagged, industrial edges of Cole Haden and Jack Wetmore’s signature sound. The production, a joint effort between the artist, Kid Harpoon, and the band, creates a claustrophobic yet captivating environment. It is a daring move for a mainstream artist, bridging the gap between underground art-rock and global pop.
"Let’s Get Married" shifts the mood toward a more anthemic, perhaps celebratory tone. Produced by a large ensemble including Monsterz & Strangerz, the track features a rich instrumental palette consisting of acoustic guitars, piano, and synthesizers. The mixing by Dave Fridmann is particularly notable here, as he brings his signature sense of scale to the production. The track feels deeply personal, perhaps nodding to Miley’s own life milestones, while maintaining a universal appeal through its soaring melody.
The cosmic themes continue with "Orbit," a track that leans heavily into the psychedelic. With additional production from Model/Actriz and instrumental contributions from George Doering and Sara Kawai on the harp, "Orbit" is one of the most sonically diverse tracks on the album. The use of a Mellotron and a Wurlitzer, handled by Griff Clawson and Michael Pollack, gives the song a vintage, ethereal quality that justifies its celestial title.
"Aftermath" serves as a centerpiece for the album’s emotional weight. Featuring additional vocals from Wayne Coyne, the track reunites Miley with a longtime creative soulmate. The production by Maxx Morando and Kid Harpoon is intricate, utilizing drum programming and layered synthesizers to create a sense of resolution and reflection. It is a track that speaks directly to the "peace" Miley mentioned in her statement, dealing with the consequences of fame and the clarity that follows the storm.
The latter half of the album maintains this high standard of craftsmanship. "REDLIGHTS" is a standout for its string arrangements by Davide Rossi, which provide a cinematic contrast to the electronic percussion provided by Kid Harpoon. The song was mixed by Shawn Everett, known for his work with Brittany Howard and The War on Drugs, which explains the track’s rich, organic warmth.
"Neon Signs" brings Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow into the fold. As a producer and vocalist, Wyatt’s influence is palpable, particularly in the use of a Farfisa organ and synth bass. The track is a sleek, mid-tempo piece that highlights the chemistry between Miley and Wyatt, two artists who share a penchant for blending melancholy with infectious rhythms. This is followed by "Innocent Ways," a more stripped-back affair produced primarily by Miley and Morando. The track focuses on the interplay between bass and synthesizers, allowing Miley’s vocal nuances to take center stage.
As the album nears its conclusion, "Snow" offers a collaborative peak, bringing together the writing and production talents of Model/Actriz, Kid Harpoon, and Michael Pollack. It is a complex arrangement that features Ruben Radlauer on drums and Jack Wetmore on electric guitar, creating a wall of sound that feels both cold and comforting. The album then closes with the "Bass Persuades Remixx," a reimagining of the title track by Model/Actriz. This final track acts as a bookend, reinforcing the album’s experimental spirit and leaving the listener with a lingering sense of the "persuasive" power of the low end.
To celebrate the launch of this new chapter, Miley is scheduled to take the stage at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for two exclusive performances. These shows, set for October 16 and October 18, are expected to be more than just concerts; they are being framed as live manifestations of the album’s "blissful" energy. Given the complexity of the album’s production, fans are eager to see how these dense, layered tracks will be translated to a live setting, especially with the potential for guest appearances from the album’s many high-profile contributors.
Bass Persuades is more than just a collection of songs; it is a document of an artist in flux, moving away from the expectations of the past and toward a future defined by her own terms. By embracing the mononym "Miley," she is not just shortening her name—she is expanding her horizons. The album stands as a testament to the fact that even after twenty years in the industry, there are still new depths to be explored and new ways to persuade an audience. As the bass lines of her new record echo through Los Angeles and beyond, it is clear that Miley has found the peace she was looking for, and she is more than happy to share that bliss with the world.
