Is Will of the People a good place to start with Muse?

Yes, Will of the People is recommended as a starting point for new Muse listeners. A dynamic blend of hard rock and progressive elements, infused with anthemic choruses and politically charged themes. Released on August 26, 2022, 'Will of the People' is Muse's ninth studio album, following their 2018 release 'Simulation Theory'. At this point in their career, the band sought to address contemporary issues through a more direct lyrical approach while experimenting with their sound, indicating a shift towards a more urgent and visceral expression.

Who is Will of the People for?

Will of the People works well if you're into steady energy for active listening, socially charged lyrical engagement and explosive moments of catharsis.

How many songs are on Will of the People?

Will of the People has 10 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Will of the People

Muse · 2022

37 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A dynamic blend of hard rock and progressive elements, infused with anthemic choruses and politically charged themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Will of the People Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's central theme of societal unrest, combining explosive instrumentation with defiant lyrics that challenge authority.
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Won’t Stand Down — This track serves as a powerful anthem of resilience, featuring heavy guitar riffs that mirror its confrontational message against oppression.
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Compliance — With its eerie atmosphere and biting lyrics about societal complacency, this song critiques passivity in the face of injustice, showcasing Muse's signature dramatic flair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album combines energetic rock with politically charged lyrics, showcasing Muse's signature sound while addressing contemporary issues.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a driving beat and layered guitar riffs, setting an energetic tone.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Won’t Stand Down,' which shifts from a slow build to an explosive chorus.
Lyrically, the album addresses themes of resistance and empowerment, with direct messages evident in tracks like 'Compliance' and 'We Are Fucking Fucked.'

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady energy for active listening
socially charged lyrical engagement
explosive moments of catharsis
late-night drive anthems
urgent themes of empowerment

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, mellow sounds
dislike politically charged content

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality with bold themes and chart success in their later career.
Themes: societal conformity· defiance against oppression· political urgency
Career context: Released on August 26, 2022, 'Will of the People' is Muse's ninth studio album, following their 2018 release 'Simulation Theory'. At this point in their career, the band sought to address contemporary issues through a more direct lyrical approach while experimenting with their sound, indicating a shift towards a more urgent and visceral expression.
Stylistic neighbors: Radiohead· Queens of the Stone Age· Placebo