Miley Cyrus Recalls Final Talk With Dolly Parton After Sharing New Album 'Bass Persuades'
In a new interview with Zane Lowe, Miley Cyrus discussed her last conversation with her godmother Dolly Parton, which began when Cyrus sent Parton an early vinyl copy of her upcoming album "Bass Persuades." Cyrus reflected that despite their contrasting public personas, their differences made their bond special, praising Parton's authenticity beneath the glamour. She also mentioned that producer Max Martin encouraged her to transform her slower ballads into more upbeat tracks.
Cyrus told Lowe that Parton has always been the first person to receive a vinyl copy whenever she presses a new record, a tradition she continued with "Bass Persuades." She acknowledged the apparent contradiction in Parton's public image—the wigs, cosmetics, and theatrical presentation—while insisting that what fans truly connect with is Parton's underlying genuineness. Cyrus framed their relationship as one strengthened by contrast rather than similarity.
The interview also touched on the album's creative direction. Producer Max Martin encouraged Cyrus to rework her slower, more subdued compositions into livelier, dance-oriented tracks. This push toward upbeat energy suggests "Bass Persuades" may lean heavily into pop territory, marking a shift from the ballad-heavy approach Cyrus initially envisioned for the project.
This story may resonate deeply with fans processing the recent loss of Dolly Parton, offering an intimate glimpse into the final exchange between two generations of country-pop royalty. Cyrus's reflection on authenticity beneath performance could prompt audiences to reconsider how public personas often mask genuine character. The album's upbeat transformation under Martin's guidance may also shape listener expectations, potentially influencing how the record is received as both a creative statement and an emotional response to personal grief.