He defies passing trends, living almost as if punk never existed, and appears in love with his own mirror image, much like a classic arena-rock moment from the late 70s, while Muse continues to release albums that feel immediate and relentless. The guitarwork is high-octane, the choruses are larger-than-life, crescendos surge forward, the vocals are highly energized, and a sweep of apocalyptic imagery frames their new project, The Will of the People. If stadium rock’s most physical, sensory faction has a claim on your attention, this piece delivers a powerful jolt.
The label apparently decided it was time for Muse to deliver a collection of “best hits” that the Devon-based group had resisted, opting instead for a record that preserves impact while introducing fresh material. The Will of the People does not abandon the band’s peak-era milestones (2001–2009) but it does keep its gaze outward toward global concerns. It revisits familiar influences that may feel conventional to some critics. In rock, such license is rarely forgiving compared with pop, yet it remains a defining trait of Muse’s sound.
This seductive totalitarianism
Even in its most ambitious moments, Muse’s blockbuster work carries a sense of caution about power and control, wrapped in a palette of instrumental dynamics that can feel almost monumental. The title track channels takeover anxieties, with a Capitolio-inspired glam-rock riff that would thrill fans of theatrical metal. Before the standout track Compliance, the album leans on eighties synthesizers to propel its textures and moods.
This return to an anthology-like approach lets Muse showcase themes across its evolving personas. It includes a bold homage to Queen, delivered through eerie choirs in Salvation, and a poignant ballad that laments those who have left us, a nod to the human cost of conflict and loss. The band pushes a raw anthem in Won’t Stand Down and raises the battle-cry energy in Kill or Be Killed, pairing metallic guitar work with high-drama vocal lines. The album also features the melodic confrontation You Make Me Feel Alive, juxtaposed with a heavier, more aggressive edge that signals the band’s willingness to smash expectations.
The world’s anxieties — from viral threats to climate crises and geopolitical tensions — feed Muse’s apocalyptic fantasies, but the group remains defiant, turning fiction into a mirror that reflects present pressures. It’s a bold, unapologetic listening experience that is as intense as it is entertaining, proving that Muse can still provoke strong reactions in a landscape crowded with high-stakes rock.
Other albums of the week
Reggaeton Season 2
Duki
press play
Reggaeton / Trap
★★★
Duki continues to reshape his sound, shedding the darker trap persona at moments to reveal a brighter, more vibrant energy. The project underscores his knack for blending genres and collaborating across borders, with ten tracks that spike with summer-ready rhythms. The release is highlighted by a standout collaboration that broadens the scope of his musical universe and hints at a future where reggaeton meets global street rap in fresh ways.
We’re All Burned
Ezra Furman
Bella League / Anti-
Source
★★★★
The Spectorian cadence of Dressed in Black and the synthesizer-laced Forever in Sunset invite introspection, even as Furman returns to the storytelling energy of her earlier work. On her sixth solo album, released after coming forward about gender identity, she threads vulnerability with a defiant rock intensity. The record revisits the heart of Springsteen-esque indie-rock, celebrating resilience and the power of connection with those who have touched our lives and left footprints in memory.
Madness/Release
hot chips
Domino
Pop
★★★★
Electronic textures continue to drive hot chips’ expansive palette, with the pandemic-era lull giving way to a more expansive emotional landscape. The record blends funk-infused grooves, reflective ballads that nod to ancestral Germanic influences, and witty synth-pop explorations. It is a lively, thoughtful catalog that fuels dancing floors and inner dialogues alike, a testament to pop’s evolving artistry.
Not Tight
DOMI & DJ Beck
Apeshit, Inc. / Blue Note
Jazz
★★★
Beck’s keyboard work and DJ Domi’s production craft create an intricate sound that sticks with the listener. The duo navigates tonal shifts and clever collaborations, including a feature with Anderson .Paak, delivering music that feels both current and timeless. Not Tight sketches a playful, boundary-pushing adjacency of house, jazz, and modern experimentation that remains engaging and unpredictable.