Miley’s 'Bass Persuades' Sets Record for Steepest Post-Debut Chart Plunge

Key points

• The album 'Bass Persuades' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 61,000 equivalent units, marking Miley’s first number one album since 2013.
• In its second week, the album plummeted to number 157, setting a record for the biggest drop from a number one debut for a new release.
• Previous records for steep drops involved older albums or promotional tactics, such as Bon Jovi’s bundled concert tickets and Travis Scott’s vinyl pre-order surge.
• The title track peaked at number 35 on the Hot 100, and the album lacks a major hit single or announced tour plans, contributing to its rapid decline.
• Miley has two sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl on October 16 and 18, with advertisements suggesting the dates were designed to feature the album live.

Background

Miley Cyrus recently rebranded to the mononym 'Miley' and signed with Atlantic Records, signaling a new era for her tenth studio album. The album was described as a love story and was teased through social media and a Wonderland magazine interview. The release followed her engagement to Maxx Morando and a tribute to Dolly Parton. The album’s debut at number one was a significant milestone, marking her first number one album in over a decade.

How outlets are covering it

Stereogum emphasizes the album’s experimental nature and lack of a hit single as reasons for its rapid decline, noting that Miley’s stature usually ensures sustained chart presence. Variety highlights the historical context of previous record drops, clarifying that Bon Jovi and Travis Scott’s falls were due to promotional anomalies or older releases, making Miley’s drop unique for a new album. Consequence of Sound focuses on the sheer magnitude of the 156-spot drop, while Yahoo’s coverage is limited to the headline and lacks detailed analysis. All sources agree on the record-breaking nature of the drop but differ in their emphasis on the causes and historical comparisons.

Why it matters

The record-breaking drop highlights the volatility of the music industry and the challenges of sustaining chart success without a major hit single or extensive promotional support. It also underscores the changing landscape of album releases, where curiosity streams and short attention spans can lead to rapid declines in chart performance. Miley’s upcoming Hollywood Bowl concerts may provide a platform to re-engage audiences and potentially reverse the album’s decline.

What to watch

Miley is scheduled to perform at the Hollywood Bowl on October 16 and 18, with both shows sold out. The concerts may serve as a platform to promote the album and potentially boost its chart performance. There are no announced tour plans beyond these two dates, and the album’s future chart trajectory remains uncertain. The release of a follow-up track, 'Different Religion,' may also influence the album’s performance.