Miley Cyrus has released "Bass Persuades," a new single marking the launch of a new musical era, one in which she is presenting herself simply as Miley rather than under her full surname. The track is now available on all digital platforms.
"Bass Persuades" also lends its name to a forthcoming studio album. Cyrus has set a two-week countdown to its release, confirming the record will arrive on September 18, 2026, with 10 tracks built to show off the range of influences she has absorbed throughout her career.
Musically, the song opens with Cyrus half-whispering rather than singing, laying her vocal over a powerful electronic backing built on heavy, resonant beats. The pairing calls to mind Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" or Dua Lipa's "Radical Optimism" on first listen, though the overall effect is closer to a trip back to the sound of the early 1990s.
A journey back to the early 90s
That throwback feel carries into the accompanying music video, which opens with Cyrus in a vintage cap performing movements that recall Madonna at the height of her career. The choreography edges close to overtly sexual territory, staged in a club-like setting before building to a large street party lit by the glow of night.
Cyrus pairs a clear, characterful voice, a hallmark of her work throughout her career, with demanding choreography that underlines her range as a performer. In some of the wider shots featuring her backing dancers, the imagery brings to mind Beyonce, adding another major pop figure to the list of influences running through the release.
A chorus built to be an anthem
The song's hook, "the kids don't want to dance," repeats insistently through the chorus and looks set to become its calling card. The track has the ingredients to top the charts with real personality, in keeping with the string of major hits Cyrus has delivered over her career.
Cyrus first became a household name two decades ago starring as Hannah Montana, the Disney Channel character that turned her into a global pop culture figure while still a child star. She has since built a career as one of the most recognizable voices in pop music, continually reshaping her sound as she has moved through different creative phases.
The full album, and the remaining nine tracks alongside "Bass Persuades," is due for release on September 18, 2026.
