Muse's long-awaited return to form is nothing short of a sonic explosion – 'The Wow! Signal', their 10th studio album, bursts forth with all the bombastic flair and theatricality that has come to define this Devon trio. Like a comet hurtling through the cosmos, this album careens from one face-melting riff to another, leaving a trail of awestruck listeners in its wake.
The opening salvo, 'The Dark Forest', sets the tone for an epic journey that whisks listeners away on a thrilling ride of layered soundscapes and Matt Bellamy's impassioned vocals. Gone are the experimental dalliances with 80s pop and R&B that left some critics scratching their heads – instead, Muse is back to its bombastic best, conjuring up Latin choirs, electronic basslines, and prog-metal guitar work that's reminiscent of a bygone era.
With 'The Wow! Signal', Muse seems to be embracing the extraterrestrial theme with reckless abandon. The album's title references the infamous 1977 'Wow! Signal' incident, where a radio telescope detected a mysterious signal from space – it's a narrative thread that weaves throughout the album like a cosmic tapestry. It's a bold move, but one that pays off in spades.
This album marks a triumphant return to form for Muse, who had been feeling the heat from critics and fans alike after their previous releases. 'Simulation Theory' and 'Will of the People' may have been seen as missteps by some, but 'The Wow! Signal' proves that this band still has the magic dust. It's a maximalist masterpiece, full of hulking riffs, 'Count Dracula-at-the-keyboard' organs, and intricate synth arpeggios – it's like Daft Punk's 'Discovery' on steroids!
Ellie Goulding joins Muse for a show-stopping duet that adds yet another layer to the album's sonic palette. With its French disco influences and guitar work that's straight out of the '80s, 'Nightshift Superstar' is an absolute highlight – it's like stumbling into a forgotten nightclub in the heart of Paris.
Love them or loathe them, Muse remains one of the biggest draws on the UK music scene. With over a decade of sold-out tours and chart-topping albums under their belt, they're still pushing the boundaries of what's possible with live shows that are part rock concert, part theatrical spectacle. And now, 'The Wow! Signal' is here – it's an album that promises to transport listeners to another galaxy, one face-melting riff at a time.