Muse’s 5th album, The 2nd Law, is a typically incredible exercise in how to make drama-filled cinematic anthems for purposes of rocking the fuck out.
Having been a fan of Muse from the very beginning, I have to say that they have yet to disappoint me on any grand scale. Sure, their last album wasn’t their best, but Muse’s worst is still better than 90% of the artists making music’s best. (Did that make sense to you? Because it did in my head.)
Being both a fan of Radiohead and Muse has given me many an eargasm over the years. Both Thom Yorke and Matt Bellamy possess two of the most underrated breathtakingly stunning falsettos of any male vocalists alive. But, while Radiohead have gone down Experimentation Road with all of their music since OK Computer, Muse have, if anything, cranked up the guitars louder with each subsequent release; making them quite possibly the best live band I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing in person.
What sets Muse apart from the rest of their peers is their ability to make the same formula sound more intriguing with every listen. Their music is incredibly busy, but in a totally effortless way – unlike, say, some of the overproduced slop aurally raping the airwaves these days. They’re equal parts Queen, Metallica, Radiohead, and Phantom Of The Opera – but still authentically 100% Muse.
On The 2nd Law, they’re as anthemic as ever, with big mysterious drama (Supremacy), catchy single-worthy perfection (Madness), Queen-esque operatic beauty (Survival) and every other box you’re looking to be ticked on your way to eargasm. Giant productions like The 2nd Law bring to mind the type of record that an artist like Panic At The Disco wishes they could make. (Note: I actually like Panic At The Disco – but they’re no Muse.)
Grab your best set of headphones, your favorite air guitar, a glass of red and sink into The magnificent 2nd Law.
Check out the first track on the album, Supremacy, below.
*Muse’s 6th album, The 2nd Law, is out now via Warner.
Muse “Supremacy”
