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Powerful and light, grandiose and kitschy, brave and commercial, loved and hated. They are Muse. Few bands have managed to divide critics and fans like the trio from Teignmouth has in recent years. And this new work will certainly spark discussion.
"The 2nd Law" is their sixth studio album and also their most eclectic. The listener will find elements of pop, opera, soul, funk along with their classic thunderous rock. But while "The Resistance" was full of opera and classical music, here electronic music takes the lead, especially in the title track, a noise and dubstep suite in two parts inspired by watching a Skrillex concert.
If "Unsustainable" and "Isolated System" might destabilize many, much of the rest of the album is no less. Indeed, while the opening of "Supremacy" is Muse 100% complete with hysterical guitars, falsetto vocals, and Morricone influences, the next two tracks, the single "Madness" and "Panic Station", surprise with 80s electronic and funk-dance.
Interesting as well, the Olympic anthem "Survival", a rock opera with a Queen twist, "Animals", a political song against banks and speculators ("Kill yourselves, come on. Do everyone a favor" sings Bellamy", "Explorers", a piano ballad with strings similar to "Invincible" and two-tracks-two written and sung for the first time by bassist Chris Wolstenholme, the ballad "Save Me" and the rock'n'Grohl of "Liquid State", in which he confesses his (won) battle against alcoholism.
"The 2nd Law" represents a turning point in their career, we'll see if it will be THE turning point as "Kid A" was for Radiohead. It is certainly an album that demands great mental flexibility from their fans (and not only).
Loved and hated, nevertheless Muse.
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Other reviews
By ThePresident
Muse simply have fun being Muse, confirming themselves as pioneers of the rock of the '00s.
The 2nd Law offers arrangements and sounds that truly have nothing to criticize.
By Bert
Each song represents a different atmosphere, more or less successful.
An album that represents the desire to change and not to set limits on the band’s sound.
By Hellviz
"They wanted to piss against the wind and got so drenched they even caught a cold."
"The Second Law is an unrecognizable album, with a bare sound, where the voice of Bellamy and the sound of his guitar reign."
By simo ghelli
Muse's huge ability to synthesize simplicity and complexity makes them a unique case in the failing music business.
'Madness' transforms into a delicacy that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
By Rage
"The album delights us immediately with 'Supremacy', a cover of the old Muse, in which you can hear Bellamy’s sampled falsetto only at the end."
"The last two tracks ('Unsustainable' and 'Isolated System') are instrumental tracks that, due to the absence of excessive nonsense, are unjustly considered the most beautiful tracks on the album."
