Alex Mann

So Muse return. One of the most critically acclaimed British rock acts of the new Millennium are set to release their fourth album (already reviewed on audioscribbler.co.uk by Kane Fulton), and unleashed on the public now is their first single, Supermassive Black Hole, continuing their fixation with imagery on a grand, universal scale. The video accompanying 'Bliss' was of Matt falling through space, and songs such as 'New Born' give the impression of something bigger, larger. Certainly more significant and important than the mundane topics of new bands such as Hard-Fi (obssessed with stealing and yobbery).

However, to compare this song to past greats like 'New Born' would be entirely wrong. Because, upon listening to the beginning of 'New Born', I did not mistakenly think I'd bought a Madonna CD. The syncopated electro beats of the introduction were a complete shock to the system, but kinda cool at the same time. By releasing this song as the first single, Muse are making a statement that they are continuing to develop, and I like that. No one of their albums has been similar before, and this song promises a treat of a fourth album.

The lyrics are simple (depending on how much you read into them). Essentially, the voice of the song has fallen for someone ("you set my soul alight"), feels ignored ("oh baby don't you know I suffer?") and it is adversely effecting them ("sucked into the supermassive black hole"). Nothing amazing from a band which has been known to ponder on the meaning of life. The vocals are in a quivering falsetto, with the title of the song whispered just loudly enough in the background to be audible.

We can be thankful that at least the tempo is slow, plodding, deliberate. I welcome the diversity of Muse's music, and with caution, I like this new direction. It is a steady song which will get a fair amount of radio time, and draw attention to any new style they may take on. It is when they go for full on, high tempo 'Britney Spears dance' that I will panic.

Rating:

7/10

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