Muse have returned with another set of songs steeped in social commentary. The long-running English rockers will share ninth studio LP Will of the People on August 26 via Warner.
Following 2018's Simulation Theory, Will of the People is said to be influenced by the "increasing uncertainty and instability in the world," according to frontman Matt Bellamy.
"A pandemic, new wars in Europe, massive protests & riots, an attempted insurrection, Western democracy wavering, rising authoritarianism, wildfires and natural disasters and the destabilization of the global order all informed Will of the People," he explained. "It has been a worrying and scary time for all of us as the Western empire and the natural world, which have cradled us for so long are genuinely threatened. This album is a personal navigation through those fears and preparation for what comes next."
A look at the tracklist reveals that this navigation could range from uplifting, through songs titled "Liberation" and "Won't Stand Down," to incredibly bleak with a closer titled "We Are Fucking Fucked." In any case, "Compliance" is the single that arrives today alongside the album news, and you can watch a Looper-inspired video shot in Poland below from director Jeremi Durand.
"'Compliance' is about submission to authoritarian rules and reassuring untruths to be accepted to an in-group," Bellamy explained. "Gangs, governments, demagogues, social media algorithms & religions seduce us during times of vulnerability, creating arbitrary rules and distorted ideas for us to comply with. They sell us comforting myths, telling us only they can explain reality while simultaneously diminishing our freedom, autonomy and independent thought. We are not just coerced, we are herded, frightened and corralled to produce a daily '2 minutes of hate' against an out-group of their choosing and to turn a blind eye to our own internal voice of reason & compassion."
Will of the People is now available for pre-order.
Will of the People:
1. Will of the People
2. Compliance
3. Liberation
4. Won't Stand Down
5. Ghosts (How Can I Move On)
6. You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween
7. Kill or Be Killed
8. Verona
9. Euphoria
10. We Are Fucking Fucked
Following 2018's Simulation Theory, Will of the People is said to be influenced by the "increasing uncertainty and instability in the world," according to frontman Matt Bellamy.
"A pandemic, new wars in Europe, massive protests & riots, an attempted insurrection, Western democracy wavering, rising authoritarianism, wildfires and natural disasters and the destabilization of the global order all informed Will of the People," he explained. "It has been a worrying and scary time for all of us as the Western empire and the natural world, which have cradled us for so long are genuinely threatened. This album is a personal navigation through those fears and preparation for what comes next."
A look at the tracklist reveals that this navigation could range from uplifting, through songs titled "Liberation" and "Won't Stand Down," to incredibly bleak with a closer titled "We Are Fucking Fucked." In any case, "Compliance" is the single that arrives today alongside the album news, and you can watch a Looper-inspired video shot in Poland below from director Jeremi Durand.
"'Compliance' is about submission to authoritarian rules and reassuring untruths to be accepted to an in-group," Bellamy explained. "Gangs, governments, demagogues, social media algorithms & religions seduce us during times of vulnerability, creating arbitrary rules and distorted ideas for us to comply with. They sell us comforting myths, telling us only they can explain reality while simultaneously diminishing our freedom, autonomy and independent thought. We are not just coerced, we are herded, frightened and corralled to produce a daily '2 minutes of hate' against an out-group of their choosing and to turn a blind eye to our own internal voice of reason & compassion."
Will of the People is now available for pre-order.
Will of the People:
1. Will of the People
2. Compliance
3. Liberation
4. Won't Stand Down
5. Ghosts (How Can I Move On)
6. You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween
7. Kill or Be Killed
8. Verona
9. Euphoria
10. We Are Fucking Fucked
