Listen to the first single off Muse’s new album, The 2nd Law

So we finally get our first taste of Muse’s forthcoming album, The 2nd Law with the first single, “Madness.” I’ve got to say, it’s a vast improvement on almost everything on The Resistance, which was a major disappointment after the amazing Black Holes & Revelations. An album I still proclaim to be the perfect album.

“Madness” is nowhere near the perfection of many of Black Holes & Revelations tracks, but it’s a fun and for Muse, fairly light hearted track. I’m reminded of the Smashing Pumpkins Machina/The Machines of God era when the entire album made it very clear that Billy Corgan was in love. “Madness” is much the same. Matt Bellamy recently had a daughter with actress Kate Hudson, and that relationship and it’s affect on Bellamy’s writing is apparent in this track. It’ll be interesting to see if the same can be said of the rest of the album. Black Holes & Revelations and even The Resistance are largely about the political issues facing the world today, and it appeared The 2nd Law would be much the same when the promo video announcing the albums release date premiered back in June. So “Madness” is a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one. We’re not sure we agree with Coldplay’s Chris Martin who posted the following on his bands facebook page:

Having been their opening act 13 years ago I’m proud to say that I think this is Muse’s best song ever. CM

I would argue that most of the tracks on Black Holes & Revelations, Origin of Symmetry, and even some of Absolution are vastly superior to this track. But “Madness” is a pleasant surprise, and has me excited to see what the band has in store for us when The 2nd Law hits shelves on October 2nd.

But why don’t you listen to the track and let me know what you think?

Don’t forget to pre-order your copy of Muse’s The 2nd Law.

Tags: muse

Posted August 23, 2012 at 4:54 AM

I think it shows a lot of promise. But then, I enjoyed most of The Resistance, too. (IMO, Absolution is their best work.) Anyway, I agree that the lighthearted, in-love tone is intriguing. I assume you’ve seen the – I guess it’s a music video? – for “Unsustainable”, also from the new album? It’s definitely a different tone. I assume, then, that the whole album won’t be quite as cheerful as this song.


Valerie Parker

Posted August 23, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Oh wow, totally differing opinions. I was actually really disappointed in Absolution when it first came out – after the amazing album that was Origin of Symmetry. I’ve grown to love a lot of songs off the album, but to me it’s still their second worse album – second only to The Resistance which my husband listened to once and refused to listen to again, and I thought a few songs were alright, but now find it almost unlistenable (it’s a word now) – with the exception of Uprising, and the Symphony. I honestly think the rest is pure crap. Whereas Black Holes & Revelations had me in tears halfway through because I was so pleased. And literally think it is the perfect album. I can’t even say that about a Garbage album, and they’re my all time favorite band.

But yes, Unsustainable was used in the promo video for The 2nd Law. It’s definitely what you’d expect from Muse – very political and a lot of rock. Which is why I was surprised at such a happy and emotional song being their first single. I’m cautiously optomistic from what I’ve heard so far. Which is saying a lot considering I’ve been very unhappy with almost everything since BH&R (The Twilight song, The Resistance, and that Olympics song).