Welcome to my first album review! For my debut, I decided to review the highly anticipated album, Simulation Theory, by rock legends Muse.
This is an album that I have been looking forward to, ever since Thought Contagion came out (we don’t talk about Dig Down..). Muse was one of the many bands that I was raised on, and they have such amazing delivery on all their albums. They never failed to disappoint. However, what was this album like? How did it sit with a long-term Muse fan? Let’s find out.
Track 1 – Algorithm
Muse open the album with Algorithm, an 80’s sounding song with a super spacey feel. Now, there’s one thing you should know about me – I strongly dislike long intros. Having said that, this song has a 1:36 intro, and as much as it is nice to listen to, I just prefer songs that go straight in, or has an intro about 15 seconds or less. As we get into the song, we instantly get a clear idea of what this album is going to be. Now, whether that’s a good or a bad thing, it’s up to you. The vocals are amazing, as usual, (I mean, what do you expect from Matt Bellamy?) and the instrumentation is very pleasing to listen to with headphones. In terms of lyrics, as limited as they are in this opening track, (We are caged in simulations) have deep meaning. Overall I would rate this a 7/10.
Track 2 – The Dark Side
Not gonna lie, when I first heard this song, I didn’t care for it at all. I just thought it was a bit generic. After a few listens it really grew on me. Yes this is Muse, but it gave me a Stranger Things meets Bowie vibe. Lyrics hit really close to home, (You’d be scared living with my despair) and the emotion streaming through Bellamy’s voice is truly remarkable. 6/10
Track 3 – Pressure
This song isn’t actually that bad. I understand why some people won’t like it, however it’s one of those songs that you’ll listen to once and not care for it, and then you’ll pick it back up a month later and think “hey, it’s not all that bad”. I feel like the guitars define this song, and for me are the best on this song compared to the entire album. I’m not the biggest fan of the pre-chorus, and could’ve probably been stronger, but that’s my personal tastes showing. I do like the instrumental break though, and definitely could be a top dog on the album. 7/10
Track 4 – Propaganda
Okay, I’m gonna talk about what I thought when I first listened to this song. I really didn’t like it. The intro just did nothing for me but raise an eyebrow, and the chorus was just a bit disappointing. I feel like it had the potential to be such a heavier track, and if someone could remix this with some heavy guitars and drums, it would be so much better. Having said all that, I do like the bass line. After listening to it a few more times, I definitely don’t hate it as much, but it isn’t an amazing track. 5/10
Track 5 – Break it to Me
As soon as this song started, I knew that it was gonna be good. The almost distorted sound of the guitars did it for me, as I hadn’t experienced that type of style before, so it felt quite unique in my books. Thankfully, the goodness carried its way throughout the whole song, with the little breakdown part and the halloween-esque vibe in the instrumental. Even though I liked it from first listen, it grows on me every time I listen to it. Only criticism would be that I would’ve liked verse 2 to differ from verse 1, but again, that’s probably just me being picky. 8/10
Track 6 – Something Human
Now, where do I start with this song. This is yet another song I was unsure of at the start, that I eventually ended up loving, and as far as a typical pop song goes, it’s fairly good. As much as I don’t really like comparing bands, this definitely gives me an early Imagine Dragons vibe, and I’m all for it. Not much to say about this one compared to the others, as it’s good, but nothing totally special. 6/10
Track 7 – Thought Contagion
Just like everyone who first heard this, I wasn’t that keen on it. However, due to Kerrang, Scuzz, and MTV Rocks playing this so many times, it taught me to appreciate it. I know I should be focusing on the music rather than the video, but as a media student, I enjoyed the cinematography and special fx. The song is pretty catchy too, can get stuck in my head for hours. 5/10
Track 8 – Get Up and Fight
Best song on the album. Everything from the vocals, the lyrics, the instrumentation is perfect. Again, I don’t like comparing bands, but it was almost as though Bellamy decided to front 30 Seconds To Mars for a song (another great band I was raised on) and it’s just too good. 10/10
Track 9 – Blockades
What a tune. This is very much like a Cydonia part 2, taking it down to the ‘galloping pace’ in the instrumental, but also the slight similarity in the delivery of the vocals. Really great track, and definitely acts like a small throwback for the old Muse fans, who are still hooked on Knight’s Of Cydonia. (Let’s be real, who isn’t still hooked on that banger?) 9/10
Track 10 – Dig Down
Oh dear. Okay, here I have to talk about Dig Down. Pretty much all the songs have grown on me, however this song remains my least favourite song on this album, and probably in their entire discography. This song just kind of annoys me if I’m totally honest, and I think it’s down to the delivery of the chorus. This song frustrates me, as I am a big fan of the lyrics, yet I can’t sit through the song and enjoy them. 2/10
Track 11 – The Void
Such a good song to end an album on. This song is super vibey and the delivery of the song is also great. The way the instrumental changes up towards the end of the song is so nice to listen to with in-ear headphones, and I can feel myself listening to this a lot. Another favourite of mine. 8/10
Overall:
Is this Muses’s best album in my opinion? No. But, songs such as Break it to Me, Get Up and Fight, and Blockades get a big thumbs up from me. This album is not awful at all, and there are so many worse albums out there that I’ve listened to. In terms of the way Muse are going with their sound, I kinda dig it. Whether or not their next album will have a similar style, who can tell, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing for me.
OVERALL RANKING: 7/10
The Music Review Queen 