What makes Time Is Running Out by Muse notable?

This track achieved significant commercial success, reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and earning a nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance at the Grammy Awards. Its blend of rock and electronic elements helped define the sound of early 2000s alternative rock and influenced a wave of bands exploring similar sonic territories. When 'Time Is Running Out' was released in 2003, Muse was transitioning from their second album, 'Origin of Symmetry', to international recognition. This single marked a pivotal moment in their career, showcasing their growing popularity and musical ambition ahead of their subsequent breakout album, 'Absolution'.

How many songs are on Time Is Running Out?

Time Is Running Out has 2 tracks, running approximately 6 minutes.

Time Is Running Out

Muse · 2003

6 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

An urgent blend of pulsating rhythms and soaring melodies that captures the anxiety of modern existence.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Time Is Running Out — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of urgency and existential dread with its dynamic instrumentation and unforgettable chorus.
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The Groove — This track showcases a more playful side of Muse, integrating funk influences while still maintaining their signature intensity and lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting and production but is limited by its brief runtime and lack of thematic depth across tracks.

What we noticed

The title track features a driving bassline that underpins the verses, while the chorus elevates with layered vocals and soaring guitar riffs.
The song employs a dynamic structure, alternating between quieter verses and explosive choruses, creating a sense of urgency.
The second track, 'The Groove', introduces a more rhythmic focus with syncopated beats and a funk-inspired bass line, contrasting the intensity of the first.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single marked a pivotal moment in Muse's transition to international recognition.
Themes: post-apocalyptic urgency· dystopian anxiety· political disillusionment
Career context: When 'Time Is Running Out' was released in 2003, Muse was transitioning from their second album, 'Origin of Symmetry', to international recognition. This single marked a pivotal moment in their career, showcasing their growing popularity and musical ambition ahead of their subsequent breakout album, 'Absolution'.
Stylistic neighbors: Radiohead· Queens of the Stone Age· Placebo