Muse – Thought Contagion: First Impressions N’ Opinions

Milo here.

Oyeh oyeh, my favourite West Country boios Muse have released another track from their upcoming (I assume) as yet untitled album, entitled Thought Contagion. Check it out below:

On instant first impression, this is a much more ‘together’ song than Dig Down, the single they released back in May. Whereas Dig Down seemed more like a non-song due to it’s lack of guitar riffage, Thought Contagion has a much stronger melody, despite the fact that this also is riffless in the guitar dept. What seperates the two is the quality of bass, the melodic backbone of both tracks, with the latter being much better.
Despite this, this is where the redeeming factors come to a close. While Matt’s vocals are unchanged, a good thing in my opinion, from his earlier work, his lyrics have become marginally more political since 2009’s The Resistence and I DO NOT DIG IT. They just seem needlessly preachy and cliché, not needed. BUT THIS BITCH IS ABOUT MEMES. Moreover, I was heartbroken to hear programmed drumming in parts here, with Dom’s toms being one of my favourite things about a Muse track. Particularly, the horrible trap-esque hi-hats and Imagine Dragons-y kick drum — nononononono.

Perhaps Muse should focus less on trying to stuff as many 80s nostalgia points into their videos, and more on producing some good proper rock songs please.

As of yet, we’ve got no album news, but I’m sure it won’t be long — that’s what I said in May.

Lots of hugs, kisses and lacerations

Milo.