Muse - The 2nd Law

Muse’s explosive sixth studio album, originally released in 2012 on Helium 3 / Warner Records. Recorded in London, the record finds the band pushing their already expansive sound even further, embracing everything from hard rock and symphonic grandeur to electronic experimentation and dubstep-inspired intensity.

Across its 13 tracks, The 2nd Law captures Muse at their most adventurous. The official Olympic anthem “Survival” sets the tone with triumphant drama, while “Madness” blends sleek synth-pop minimalism with a soaring vocal performance from Matt Bellamy—becoming one of the band’s most successful singles to date. “Panic Station” explodes with funk-driven energy, echoing influences of Prince and Queen, while “Follow Me” moves into pulsing electro-pop territory.

The album also delivers moments of cinematic sweep and rock power, from the storming “Supremacy” to the delicate piano ballad “Explorers.” Bassist Chris Wolstenholme makes his songwriting and lead vocal debut with the raw and emotional tracks “Save Me” and “Liquid State.” And at its most experimental, the dubstep-inspired “Unsustainable” merges classical orchestration with heavy electronic breakdowns, underscoring Muse’s willingness to dissolve genre boundaries.

Closing with the ambitious two-part title track, The 2nd Law: Unsustainable / Isolated System, the album reflects on themes of chaos, energy consumption, and humanity’s uncertain future, wrapping its grand scope in music both urgent and otherworldly.

Upon release, The 2nd Law charted at No. 1 in the UK and across Europe, reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard 200—one of Muse’s highest-charting American entries. Bold, eclectic, and unapologetically over the top, it cemented Muse’s status as a stadium-filling band unafraid to reinvent themselves with every release.