Miley has a new single, and she wants to be saved by a different religion — specifically, one led by a man she calls her god. The singer has dropped the video for “Different Religion,” her new track from her 10th studio album, Bass Persuades. The clip, directed by Mert Alas, is a slow-burning, cinematic journey through a desert landscape, and it features model Charlie Knepper alongside Miley herself.
The song is a gothic pop anthem about a man who drives a fast car and makes loud noise. Miley sings, “I’ve got my own god / My god’s a hot boy.” The video plays out like a fever dream set against the backdrop of a mountain road, with Miley and her collaborators performing the track in a way that turns the lyrics into a visual spectacle.
The Desert Road Opens the Video
The video opens on a desert road flanked by mountains. A car speeds through, and later it is revealed that Miley is driving it. She declares, “I got my own god,” while caressing her face, bathed in red light. “He drives a fast car.”
The scene sets the tone immediately. The desert is vast, empty, and unforgiving, but Miley’s car cuts through it with speed and confidence. The red light adds a sense of heat and urgency, suggesting that her relationship with this god is passionate and intense.
Cole Haden Joins the Chorus
Cole Haden, a model and actress, takes turns on other verses with Miley. The two sing together in sultry harmony, “In the rear view / Every passing exit / My faith is his hard body, cracked leather.”
The chorus itself is the heart of the track. Miley sings, “I want to be saved by a different religion / I crave to believe him.” She repeats the line, adding, “We don’t need forgiveness / I want to be saved by a different religion.”
Charlie Knepper Joins the Joy Ride
Model Charlie Knepper joins Miley for the joy ride. He appears as the hot boy referenced in the lyrics, and the video shows the two of them together, with other models mouthing the words along with them.
The pairing is theatrical and entertaining. Miley has a history of working with models and actors in her videos, and this one continues that tradition. The models add a sense of movement and energy to the static images, creating a visual rhythm that matches the song’s intensity.
The Models Mouth the Words
Throughout the video, different models mouth the words of the song. They appear in various scenes, sometimes in black and white, sometimes in color, sometimes in a mix of both.
The contrast between black and white and color creates a visual tension. By switching between the two, the video suggests that Miley’s relationship with her god is both timeless and immediate.
Rolling Stone‘s Review of the Album
Rolling Stone reviewed Bass Persuades and described the song as “a gothic pop song about a man who drives a fast car and makes loud noise. ‘I’ve got my own god,’ Cyrus sings. ‘My god’s a hot boy.’ If her love is anything like the battering sound of the track, it must be intense, even if its lyrics betray the feeling.”
The review captures the essence of the song. It is a track about a man who is loud, powerful, and magnetic. Miley sings about him with passion, but the lyrics suggest that the relationship is complicated. The phrase “battering sound” is telling — it implies force, intensity, and perhaps even danger.
The Album’s Chart Success
Bass Persuades hit Number One on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It is Miley’s first LP to top the chart since she released Bangerz in 2013.
The chart success is significant. Bangerz was a defining moment in Miley’s career, and topping the Billboard 200 again after more than a decade is a statement. The album’s title, Bass Persuades, suggests a return to the sensual, rhythmic sound that made her a star.
The Video’s Cinematic Style
The video is directed by Mert Alas. The desert setting is dramatic, with the sun low in the sky and the mountains looming in the background.
The lighting is moody and atmospheric. Red light, shadows, and contrasting colors create a sense of depth and emotion. The video feels like a movie trailer for a romance that is both romantic and dangerous.
A Comparison of the Track’s Key Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | “Different Religion” |
| Album | Bass Persuades |
| Director | Mert Alas |
| Lead Model | Charlie Knepper |
| Collaborator | Cole Haden |
| Chart Position | Number One on Billboard 200 |
Our View of the Video
The video is a theatrical and entertaining clip. It pairs Miley’s declaration of a “hot boy” god with model Charlie Knepper and Cole Haden, creating a visual spectacle that matches the song’s lyrical intensity.
The contrast between the black-and-white scenes and the colorful ones is effective. It creates a sense of timelessness while also grounding the performance in the present.
The chorus is the highlight. Miley’s repeated declaration of wanting to be saved by a different religion is powerful. It suggests a desire for something beyond the ordinary, something that feels both liberating and dangerous.
The video is out now. It has generated attention since its release. Miley has a proven ability to draw crowds, and this video looks set to continue that trend.
The song itself is a strong addition to Bass Persuades. It captures the essence of Miley’s current sound — gothic, rhythmic, and sensual. The video amplifies that sound visually, turning the lyrics into a full sensory experience.
Miley has delivered a video that is bold, theatrical, and visually striking. It is a worthy companion to a song that is already generating buzz. The combination of the two is likely to keep fans talking for some time.
The video pairs Miley’s declaration of a “hot boy” god with model Charlie Knepper and Cole Haden, creating a visual spectacle that matches the song’s lyrical intensity.
Source material: “Miley Wants to Be Saved by a ‘Different Religion’ in Cinematic New Video,” Rolling Stone.
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