English rock giants Muse are the main talking point this week with the release of their seventh studio album, Drones.
Muse have always been a band who have had controversy surrounding them, due to their unpredictable changes in musical direction and their unavoidable similarity to 70s icons, Queen. However, credit has to be given to a band who have not been afraid to step out of their comfort zone from the get-go and create a plethora of alternative music, which has cemented their name as one of the biggest bands in the world today.
Drones was promised to be Muse's "heaviest release" to date, which excited a number of cult fans who prefer the band's more guitar driven songs. With multiple listens to the album, it is debatable whether Drones fulfils that need.
The album kicks off with single Dead Inside, assisted by singer and multi-instrumentalist Matt Bellamy bellowing "Dead Inside" as the song transcends into a simplistic drum beat filled with reverberation and the occasional squeals from a synth.
Dead Inside is compelling and runs in a similar vein to Undisclosed Desires, taken from Muse's 2010 output, The Resistance. Following Dead Inside is an excerpt called Drill Sergeant which oddly pumps you up for Psycho.
It is fair to say that Psycho could be deemed as the heaviest track on the album, yet it's still accessible. It contains the notorious, jittery riffs that Muse have been accustomed to writing. The added distortion gives Psycho that further depth of emotion and the song's name is justified.
Mercy is the track on every Muse album which is purely for a mainstream target audience who cannot get to grips with the experiment songs. Admittedly it is a grower, but it lacks the musical talent which Muse possess.
All can be soon forgiven when the up-tempo drum beat kicks in alongside the Van Halen style guitar tapping in Reapers. The best track on the album by a country mile, Muse mean business with this one. The progressive elements combined with the raw power from Bellamy's vocals make Reapers an addictive listen and a certified head-banger.
As soon as the breakdown in Reapers subsides, the rest of the album's mediocrity creeps in. The Handler is an extremely solid song but slightly lacks the excitement that Reapers contains. Also as with Muse's recent albums, the experimental songs complete the second half of Drones.
Revolt is a cringeworthy song with one of those choruses which you'll feel guilty for singing along to in your head all day.
Muse continue their ambitious approach with the 10 minute epic The Globalist, and it truly doesn't disappoint. The transitions into each section are remarkable and the song does its job of captivating the listener throughout its lengthy duration.
Just when you thought it was over, Muse end the album with title track Drones, a three minute a cappella, almost Gregorian chant style song which is both enlightening and makes you question what you've just heard.
Drones is a favourable album and the first half is brilliant and is a celebration of Muse's return with guitar-based tracks, however the second half will take time for many people to get used to. It is without a doubt a much better album than previous album The 2nd Law and it is a step in the right direction for Muse.
Make sure you catch Muse at Download Festival this Saturday and witness a show you'll never forget!
Rating: 7/10
Stand-out tracks: Psycho, Reapers, The Handler, The Globalist.
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