It’s hard to believe how Miley Cyrus has changed. When she was a teenager, she played Hannah Montana and sang teen pop hits like “Party in the USA.” Then she dramatically changed her style, writing mature romance tunes while backing out of Disney. Now, she’s ditched her last name, joining the single moniker club.
While Miley’s stage name is different, her music still shines. When I listened to “Bass Persuades,” I thought, wow, this is amazing. Of all the Miley albums I’ve listened to, this is one of my all-time favorites.
The opener, “Bass Persuades,” starts the album on a strong note. While electric chords and futuristic melodies fill listeners’ ears, Miley sings about teenagers not partying as much as they did a few decades ago. The lyric “the kids don’t wanna dance” demonstrate this.
To strengthen Miley’s argument, Miley composed a music video that switches between a club and a city street. In the scenes, Miley and her friends dance the night away, portraying what life used to be like for teenagers.
The second song, “Different Religion,” shifts the subject from partying to religion. The beginning is dark and suspenseful. Miley’s low, bold voice makes it sound like a god is talking to someone from the sky. The suspenseful mood eventually changes to futuristic pop as Miley declares that she wants to change her religion. In the chorus, Miley’s voice sometimes sounds echoey, blending in smoothly with the music.
“Let’s Get Married” is one of the album’s best tunes. Not only is the music brilliant, but the music video is stellar. Beginning with uplifting rock music, the tune instantly captures your attention. The rock vibes remain constant as Miley sings about her happy romantic relationship and suggesting that she and her lover, as the title suggests, get married.
What makes the music video unique is that it’s in black and white, making it look like a television show from the 1950s. The video features two main aspects: Miley being in a bath and Miley spending time with her lover. Things she does with him include being in bed with him and having drinks with him and a few friends. The music video also features other couples, including same-sex ones.
“Orbit” takes us to a new world. While the previous songs were energetic, “Orbit” is more laid-back, featuring somber piano harmonies that make us feel like we’re floating. The floating sensation is a key element of the lyrics, which discuss loneliness and wanting to surround a lover whenever they’re around.
The sorrowful mood continues in “Aftermath,” which revolves around a failed relationship. For the first 38 seconds, the tempo is slow while Miley’s vocals sound distant. Eventually, the tempo picks up while disco melodies take over.
“REDLIGHTS” is one of my favorite songs. What I love the most is its animating club beats. A memorable lyric is “And baby, you’re the reason / I’ll turn my face up toward the light.”
After “REDLIGHTS” is “Neon Signs,” a very seductive tune. The opening features ringtones, which end in a voicemail. Miley’s reaction to the voicemail is an alluring sigh, indicating that you’re in for a ride. While the sighs linger for a chunk of the tune, Miley sings about romance and late-night company.
“Innocent Ways” brings back “Bass Persuades’” suspenseful and futuristic vibes. The tempo remains swift and groovy, keeping you awake.
“Snow” is like “Aftermath.” It’s very chill and not much happens in the tune. A few significant lines are “I gave you my hand / You pull me against your chest / I know I’ve seen everything” and “It’s written in your wide eyes, forever skies / Together, we both fall like snow.”
The final song, “Bass Persuades Remix,” is an alternate version of “Bass Persuades.” There’s not much to comment on other than the fact that the song sounds groovier, and the vocals sound like the original version.
Overall, I love this album. The mixture of electric, pop and soft rock songs makes the album an intriguing work. The only thing I didn’t appreciate was that there were only ten songs. The album was so stellar that I wish there was more of it. I also wish Miley ended the album on a better note. While the “Bass Persuades” remix was great, it would have been nice to see a different song there.
Rating: 4/5