REVIEW: Muse invents symphonic Dubstep

The British alternative space rock band delivers a well-rounded album that is strong from start to finish. “The 2^nd Law,” Muse’s sixth album, is their most recent release since 2009’s “The Resistance.” Named after the second law of thermodynamics, which deals with energy and its sustainability, this album definitely has a political theme hidden throughout it, and was released during the chaos of the recent American political cycle.

Compared to their previous work, this album sounds like Muse but has new diverse elements and styles woven in and out of it. Horn sections and new heavy electronics that sound similar to Dubstep, but is played on real instruments, make this album sound new and fresh. They also return to their classical manner with strings accompanying their heavy sound. The symphonic sound is purposeful, and seems like they’ve perfected it since their last album. Their sound also includes lead vocals on two songs from Chris Wolstenholme (bass) for the first time.

Tracks that stood out to me were: “Madness,” the sappy love song written for Matt Bellamy’s famous girlfriend Kate Hudson, “Panic Station,” which along with “Madness” was recently played on Saturday Night Live, “Big Freeze,” and my personal favorite, “Survival.”

The 21^st century masterpiece, “Survival,” is such a thundering piece of work that it should be considered one of the greatest ‘pump-up’ songs ever. Bellamy (guitarist and vocalist) wrote this song for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and it was chosen as the title song for the Games. Before the piano intro, a prelude of strings introduces the song, which then slowly builds up until it’s a massive cry, accompanied by a chorus of divine voices. This song was meant for Mount Olympus.

Lyrically, this album is personal, bringing up themes of love and the joy of perseverance, but also the woes of alcoholism.  Some might criticize all of its different styles, but each section has a role to play in the album. Some parts of “The 2^nd Law” may be somber and remind us of the end of the world, but others are likable and easy to dance.