Miley Cyrus Ranks Every Track on Her New Album ‘Bass Persuades’

Miley Cyrus is back, and this time she’s officially dropping the “Cyrus” from everything. Her new album Bass Persuades arrives Friday (Sept. 17) via Atlantic Records, a switch from her previous home at Columbia. The 10-track set was co-written and produced by Cyrus alongside Kid Harpoon, Maxx Morando, Michael Pollack and The Monsters & Strangerz.

She’ll mark the release with two shows at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend, with Brooklyn-based post-punk quartet Model/Actriz opening. That band also appears as a featured artist on the album, alongside longtime collaborator Andrew Wyatt.

What Miley Said About the Album

Cyrus posted on Instagram when announcing the project: “Music takes hold of us. We feel it, sing it, sometimes dance to it, let it out and carry on. It is powerful, vulnerable, sweet and strong.”

The album’s title and lead single may have suggested a more clubby sound. Some of her comments about it may have implied the same. But the full set mixes ballads marked by woozy synths with breezy acoustic songs and a few tracks built for the dancefloor.

The Ranking, From Best to Worst

Billboard has ranked all 10 tracks. Here’s how they land:

1. “Bass Persuades”
2. “Bass Persuades Remixx”
3. “Neon Signs” (feat. Andrew Wyatt)
4. “REDLIGHTS”
5. “Different Religion” (feat. Model/Actriz)
6. “Orbit”
7. “Snow”
8. “Let’s Get Married”
9. “Orbiter”
10. “Falling”

The numbers represent Billboard’s ranking from best to worst.

Why the Remix Falls Short

“Bass Persuades Remixx” closes the album. The idea was smart: an alternate version of the opener and lead single. Instead, it just thins out the original’s arrangement, speeds up the tempo and makes Cyrus sound rushed. The extra “x” in the title is a gimmick that doesn’t pay off.

Neon Signs Struggles With Its Own Joke

“Neon Signs” opens with a gently swaying groove and an ABBA-like melody. Cyrus and Wyatt’s vocals mix well. Then the song loses itself in a pair of breathy spoken bridges where the two flirt cartoonishly: “Some people say I’m creepy… but others think I’m just right.” “No, you’re perfect! So perfect!” It’s an inside joke we’re not in on.

REDLIGHTS Misses the Hook

“REDLIGHTS” could be the next “Flowers,” with an easy slow-disco groove and billowy ’70s strings. But it lacks a big vocal hook or a clear lyrical idea. Lines like “Truth is all we need/ And also what I fear,” and “Anywhere you go/ I will also go” land clumsily.

Different Religion Packs a Punch

The first 10 seconds of “Different Religion” are jaw-dropping, with a guitar squall giving way to Cyrus declaring “I’ve got my own God/ He drives a fast car.” Model/Actriz’s spiky industrial backing fits perfectly. The rest of the song cools down too fast, with the chorus drifting into familiar alt-pop territory and Cole Haden’s gothy croon blending awkwardly with Cyrus’ sweeter vocals.

Bass Persuades Comes Close

“Bass Persuades” opens with “Let’s go,” a menacing synth riff and one of the year’s most arresting titles. The chorus — “The kids don’t want to dance” — feels aimless, and the short synth bleats feel underproduced. It’s a fun song with potential, but it never quite hits the heights it promises.

Orbit Delivers Vulnerable Vocals

“Orbit” is an electric piano ballad with some of Cyrus’ strongest vocals. Lyrics like “When you look at me it’s primal/ When you wave to me it’s tidal/ And the gravity is vital/ ‘Else I’d float away” add personal feeling. The swirling synths give it stakes, even if it never quite reaches another gear.

Snow Ends the Album on a Disquieting Note

“Snow” starts as a dizzy ballad with twinkling synths. Its final stretch gets heavier, with arpeggiated synths mixed with a growling Depeche Mode-like low end. Cyrus echoes “Together we both fall,” then hisses “It doesn’t get better.” It’s an intriguing ending, and probably should have closed the album.

Let’s Get Married Is the Hit

The most obvious hit on Bass Persuades, and likely the album’s second single, arrived with a glamorous black-and-white music video. It’s as lovely and winning as Something Beautiful’s “End of the World.”

KEY FACTS BOX
– Album: Bass Persuades, 10 tracks
– Release date: Friday, Sept. 17
– Label: Atlantic Records
– Shows: Two nights at the Hollywood Bowl
– Opening act: Model/Actriz

ALBUM TRACKS
– “Bass Persuades Remixx”
– “Neon Signs” (feat. Andrew Wyatt)
– “REDLIGHTS”
– “Different Religion” (feat. Model/Actriz)
– “Bass Persuades”
– “Orbit”
– “Snow”
– “Let’s Get Married”
– “Orbiter”
– “Falling”

BILLBOARD RANKING
1. “Bass Persuades”
2. “Bass Persuades Remixx”
3. “Neon Signs” (feat. Andrew Wyatt)
4. “REDLIGHTS”
5. “Different Religion” (feat. Model/Actriz)
6. “Orbit”
7. “Snow”
8. “Let’s Get Married”
9. “Orbiter”
10. “Falling”

Source material: “Miley Cyrus’ ‘Bass Persuades’: All 10 Tracks Ranked,” Billboard.

album review · Andrew Wyatt · Atlantic Records · Bass Persuades · Miley Cyrus · Model/Actriz · Neon Signs