
Last week, we got a full-song taste of the upcoming Muse album, The 2nd Law, with the high-octane dubstep track, Unsustainable.
Today, however, comes the first "official" single, Madness, which cools things down considerably. Over a hypnotic, wobbly bassline, guitarist Matthew Bellamy croons. It's a stark contrast to the positively unhinged electronic bonanza of Unsustainable, and a clear indication that The 2nd Law will be a varied affair.
"We are defined by the fact that we can't be defined by anybody," Bellamy told Rolling Stone recently.
The 2nd Law, the follow-up to Muse's 2009 album, The Resistance, will be issued 2 October.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.

"Reggae is more freeform than the blues. But more important, reggae is for everyone": Bob Marley and the Wailers' Catch a Fire, track-by-track

“Part of a beautiful American tradition”: A music theory expert explains the country roots of Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em, and why it also owes a debt to the blues