MUSE

Although formed in the '90s ('99s "Showbiz" was their first release),MUSE has never sounded like a band formed in that decade, nor one approaching their 30th anniversary. The band blends progressive alt-rock and anthemic pop to great accord, creating a sound that's almost futuristic and never reactionary. Now, MUSE have returned with their first studio album in four years, "The Wow! Signal", and it's certainly wowing us.

Opener "The Dark Forest" gets this album off to a rollicking start, offering rich strings, dramatic choirs and repetitive riffs that lull the listener into almost a trance. It's a strong first song for the album and sucks the listener in, begging them to keep listening to the rest of the record.

From there, "Nightshift Superstar" brings a head-spinning mix of sounds and styles, including everything from funk with a slap-happy bass line to a children's choir, making this sound like a unique take on a PINK FLOYD classic. "Cryogen" is another standout, offering a huge chorus and Matthew Bellamy 's rich vocals that show his voice is only getting better with time.

Going further, "Be With You" features a church organ and super catchy synth-pop textures, while "Hush", featuring Ellie Goulding, is an absolute pop anthem that could make it onto top 40 radio.

But, the prize on this album may be "Unravelling". This track is an absolute banger, featuring elements of djent, EDM synths, heavy metal and dramatic vocals. It's a festival-worthy cut. Every time it feels like the song is about to come apart, it pulls itself together, sounding completely at home in the noise. If there is one track that begs to be experienced with thousands of people screaming every word back at the stage, this is the one.

This album is great because it trusts the songs and lets them breathe. Instead of going for another reinvention, the band relies on what it has always done best: writing big, memorable tracks that stick long after the final note. Sometimes the smartest move isn't change. It's remembering why people showed up in the first place.