Where were you when you first heard about Muse? I was at the Lowlands festival, a few years ago and I had no idea. The first albums were pretty much straight forward rock songs but as the band continued playing, electronic influences slowly started to settle down, resulting in the massive ‘Absolution’ album. Because of the successes of the band, the pressure really is on this new album. Could Muse surprise us again?

Yes, they can. Better than you’d expect. I know this band is a matter of taste. If you dislike the high, squeezed vocals, then you won’t be interested in this record at all. But if you dig the characteristics of the band; pay attention.

 

Muse has changed again. The dark apocalyptic sphere has been replaced by feelings of relaxation. Whereas the last album contained a song called Hysteria, this album has a song called Invincible, almost a ballad. The first song Take a Bow sounds recognizable, but the second one (a killer song by the way) Starlight already shows that the band has gone into another direction, much lighter than before. Matthew’s voice has obviously improved further, which makes you feel convinced about the emotions he sings about. Supermassive Black Hole takes it to a whole different level, with a Michael Jackson groove.

 

Listening to the rest of the album is weird at first sight. I guess a mixture of the electronics we’re used to from Depeche Mode and the staccato guitar riffs from an act like Queen comes closest. Eastern and western influences, combined with the electronic samples on the foreground create a theme that is pretty impressive. Heavy guitar riffs, like in Assassin or silence as in Hoodoo, Muse is able to combine it all in one disc.

 

In a recent interview, bass player Chris Wolstenholme said that they did not pay attention to the ability of playing every song live and that is clear to hear. Although Muse is the only band that doesn’t need a second guitar player, in my opinion, because of the massive sound, they prove that they can put their own music on a level no single band has done before, even with the minimum line-up. The creativity is incredible, the usage of the instruments is almost beyond boundaries and the different influences and styles make this an epic album. Muse has made a new musical definition: Mus(e)ic.