Miley Cyrus Addresses Fragmented Music Scene on New Album

Miley Cyrus, now performing mononymously, has released her tenth album, "Bass Persuades." The album's title track, an ode to nightclubbing, also serves as a reflection on a music industry fragmented by streaming services, lamenting a time when shared musical experiences were more common.

Cyrus, 33, expresses concern about younger audiences' engagement with music, noting their preoccupation with phones and the decline of music programming on television. "The kids don't wanna dance," she observes, referencing the loss of platforms like MTV that once played a significant role in popularizing songs. "You missed the hit without MTV."

The album, her first for new label Atlantic, begins with the synth-driven "Bass Persuades," which evokes an 80s sound and has been compared to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." However, the initial energetic tone gives way to slower, more romantic ballads, marking a departure from the album's opening statement.

This shift aligns with a broader trend in Cyrus's career, moving away from the provocative image she cultivated earlier. Following her 2013 album "Bangerz," and subsequent releases like 2023's "Endless Summer Vacation," which was influenced by her divorce from Liam Hemsworth, "Bass Persuades" focuses more on her relationship with fiancé and producer Maxx Morando. Songs like "Let's Get Married" and "Neon Signs" explore themes of love and commitment.

While the album features polished songwriting, a standout track identified is "Innocent Ways," where Cyrus reportedly expresses concern for one of her sisters. Despite the album's high standard of production, the review suggests a need for more of the bolder, more energetic tracks that characterized earlier work, noting "this return could do with a few more bangerz."