The Scene section is excited to debut “Scene Says!”. Each week, we will highlight our opinions on new releases across film, literature, music, television, and more. Want to sound in the know about the latest hit TV show? Unsure which new album or movie to check out while procrastinating? “Scene Says!” will certainly have bold opinions about the best of culture. Check back each week to discover a candid perspective on the latest, greatest, and most contentious releases! Have a recommendation for what we should review or recently released your own work? Email us at [email protected]. 

For our first edition, check out Nicole’s thoughts on Miley Cyrus’s new release here:

Kevin Kan | Staff Illustrator

Miley Cyrus steps back into the scene with a sultry, nostalgic single. “Bass Persuades,” released Sept. 3, is a medley of 1980s beats and Max Martin-era production, highlighting the artist’s strengths despite its weak beginning. She starts by asking her listener to “step into the scene,” speaking through nearly the entire first verse as the track grows louder. Then, Cyrus switches the melody, setting off a seductive chorus with the lines, “And I don’t wanna change your mind,” reminiscent of a Cyndi Lauper song. Her first verse weakens the quality of the song, dropping nonsense lyrics about partying to lead into the chorus. She repeats “The kids don’t wanna dance,” with a slightly distorted electronic voice, before picking up the pace for the second verse. The spoken bridge is robotic, leading to the final minute of a chorus full of thrilling repetition. The song feels like Madonna’s “Vogue”, or maybe a lost Lady Gaga project. While the overall production may be overly reliant on the current retro-fever, the final product is fun, snappy, and enjoyable. However, once the beat drops, Cyrus truly finds her rhythm, creating something that feels novel and classic at the same time.