Simulation Theory (album) explained

Simulation Theory
Type:studio
Artist:Muse
Cover:Simulation Theory (album).jpg
Alt:A neon-coloured portrait of the members of the band in 80s-style dystopian-themed costumes, with themed electronic imagery surrounding them.
Released:9 November 2018
Recorded:January 2017 – August 2018
Studio:AIR Lyndhurst (London)
Genre:
Length:42:12
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Drones
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Next Year:2019

Simulation Theory is the eighth studio album by English rock band Muse. It was released on 9 November 2018 through Warner Bros. Records and Helium-3. Muse co-produced the album with Rich Costey, Mike Elizondo, Shellback, and Timbaland. Following the darker themes of Muse's prior albums, Simulation Theory incorporates lighter influences from science fiction and 1980s pop culture, with extensive use of synthesisers. The contemporary political climate of the United States informed the lyrics.

Rather than working on the album as a whole, Muse focused on recording a single track at a time. Recording began at AIR Studios in London in early 2017 with Elizondo, before embarking on a tour of North America. Production restarted in Los Angeles in late 2017 with Costey, who previously produced Muse's albums Absolution (2003) and Black Holes and Revelations (2006).

The album cover, designed by Stranger Things artist Kyle Lambert, and its music videos homage 1980s pop culture such as Back to the Future, Michael Jackson's Thriller, and Teen Wolf. Simulation Theory was preceded by the release of singles "Dig Down", "Thought Contagion", "Something Human", "The Dark Side", and "Pressure", along with a 2018 festival tour of North America. It was released in a standard edition alongside two deluxe editions featuring alternate versions of its tracks. A world tour of North America, Europe and South America took place in 2019 to support the album. The album received generally mixed reviews, but became the band's sixth consecutive album to top the UK Albums Chart. A film based on the album and tour, Muse – Simulation Theory, was released in August 2020. As of November 2022, Simulation Theory has sold over one million copies worldwide.

Background

Following the conclusion of the Drones World Tour, Muse and tour director Glen Rowe expressed an eagerness to design a new more ambitious tour,[1] [2] but with a different musical direction. Singer and guitarist Matt Bellamy entertained the possibility of experimenting with hip hop or making another attempt at creating a stripped-back acoustic sound.[3] [4] Drummer Dominic Howard suggested that the band might release singles or EPs to target audiences who did not listen to albums.[5]

Composition

Musically, Simulation Theory has been described as featuring electronic rock,[6] [7] new wave,[8] [9] pop rock,[6] synth-pop,[10] electro-funk. Lyrically, it explores the role of simulation in society and the simulation hypothesis, which proposes that reality is a simulation. Biographer Mark Beaumont wrote that it would likely be songwriter Matt Bellamy's "dissection of the idea that we're all just lumps of code in the shape of unusually lumpy sims". In contrast to the darker themes of Muse's previous albums, Simulation Theory takes on a lighter science fiction theme, with "fantasy becoming real" cited by Bellamy as a core idea.

The band wanted to blend elements of different eras, citing the music of Lana Del Rey, who mixes 50s-style music with lyrics concerning modern concepts in songs such as "Video Games", as an example.[11] The opening track, "Algorithm", features a musical juxtaposition between classical piano and 80s synthesizers and chiptunes.[12] "Something Human" is a song inspired by folk pop[13] written to counteract the "dark vibe" of Drones and the Drones World Tour. Bellamy described it as a "tender, down-to-earth, simplistic song" that describes the burnout and homesickness he felt towards the end of the tour. "Pressure" is a power pop track with contrasting horns and guitars, reminiscent of nerd rock.[14] [15] The song features several interchanging riffs.[16]

"Dig Down", one of the first songs written, is a reaction to the social and political climate following the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US presidential election, hoping to "give inspiration, optimism and hope to people to fight for the causes they believe in."[17] "Thought Contagion" was written in late 2017 following the band's move to Los Angeles, California, and the restart of production. The verses stem from Bellamy's anxieties observing American news at the time; its chorus recalls Bellamy's concerns about the power misinformed or ideological people have over their audiences. The track's title was inspired by scientist Richard Dawkins, who compared the spread of thoughts, "regardless of their accuracy and truth", to a viral disease. "The Void" was used for the opening titles of the 2019 BBC/PBC documentary series The Planets.[18]

Recording

Muse began writing and recording their eighth studio album following the conclusion of the Drones World Tour in late 2016. The band spent time at AIR Studios in London, England,[19] [20] with producer Mike Elizondo[21] until they left to embark on a tour of North America with PVRIS and Thirty Seconds to Mars in May 2017.[22] Three tracks were written and recorded during these sessions; information that had been relayed by the band to a fan that visited them at AIR Studios in March 2017.[23] One of the tracks, "Dig Down", was released following the conclusion of these sessions in May 2017.[24] [25] [26] At the end of the tour, the band moved to Los Angeles, California, to restart production, this time with collaborator Rich Costey, who co-produced Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations.[27] [28] [29]

Rather than concentrating on the album as a whole, as they had on previous albums, Muse focused on recording and mixing one track at a time. The band hoped this would improve the individual quality of the songs, and they worked with no particular theme in mind, even halfway through its production.

One of the first tracks produced with Costey was "Thought Contagion", based on a bassline and theremin melody conceived by Bellamy. The band began recording it in November, and replaced the theremin with a ten-layer vocal chorus performed by Bellamy and bassist Chris Wolstenholme. The verses were originally intended to be supported by a heavier, arena-style drum sequence, before experimentation with programming led to a trap-inspired drum sound that emulated the Roland TR-808. The folk rock-inspired track "Something Human" was also co-produced with Costey. Shellback and Timbaland also co-produced tracks.[30] [31]

Artwork

The album cover for Simulation Theory was designed by British visual artist Kyle Lambert, who had worked on Netflix’s television series Stranger Things.[28] [32] It was created using Procreate on an iPad Pro with Apple Pencil,[33] [34] and features a retro style focused on 1980s aesthetics, prompting comparisons by critics to Lambert's earlier work and similar aesthetics used in both 1980s and contemporary media.[35] The cover for the "super deluxe" version was designed by Paul Shipper, who had designed the Dolby Cinema posters for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures films such as and . It features an array of characters, including members of the band, in a stylistic arrangement similar to Shipper's previous work.[32] [36]

Promotion

In April 2017, Muse shared footage from their early studio sessions on social media, with captions teasing new material "coming soon".[19] [20] More cryptic teasers were published in the weeks following.[37] [38] [39] The first product of the sessions, "Dig Down", was released on 18 May 2017, along with a music video.[24] [25] [26] The song became the opening song on the band's 2017 North American tour.[40] [41]

After the band's return to the studio, Muse teased "Thought Contagion" as their next release, and teased several more tracks to follow.[42] [43] "Thought Contagion" was released on 15 February 2018 with its accompanying music video.[44] [45] Muse continued to post in-studio footage on social media in the weeks following.[46] The band also headlined a number of festivals in the United States in 2018, including Bonnaroo, BottleRock, and Carolina Rebellion festivals.[47]

Muse announced the album release date on 20 July 2018, alongside the lead single "Something Human".[48] The title, tracklist and cover art were announced on 30 August 2018.[49] The "deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions feature alternative versions of songs, referred to as "alternate reality versions", including a version of "Pressure" performed by the UCLA Bruin Marching Band, a gospel rendition of "Dig Down", a live version of "Thought Contagion" and acoustic renditions of "Propaganda", "Something Human", and "The Void".[50] A fourth single, "The Dark Side", was released on 30 August, followed by "Pressure" on 27 September.

Music videos

Muse planned to produce music videos for all eleven tracks on Simulation Theory, forming a narrative focused on "digital containment and escape".[30] Like the album, the videos are science fiction-themed,[51] with 1980s-inspired aesthetics and effects.[44] [45] Each video was directed by American filmmaker Lance Drake, noted for his work with Miike Snow and Twin Shadow.

The first video, "Dig Down", stars model and former athlete Lauren Wasser attempting to escape a high-security facility. The action-heavy video is a literal interpretation of the song's lyrics, based on Wasser's publicised experience with toxic shock syndrome. Drake had intended to film a video with Wasser starring prior to his involvement with Muse, and "Dig Down"'s themes of unity and survival inspired him to create a story centered around her. Bellamy appears in the video through cathode ray tube television sets dressed as 80s cyberpunk character Max Headroom. The second video, "Thought Contagion", references the 1983 music video Michael Jackson's Thriller, with a love story involving a vampire antagonist illustrated through choreography and neon lighting.[52] Muse held an open casting call for dancers and extras for the video, welcoming "super edgy" punk characters with "wild hair", tattoos, and piercings.[53]

The third video, "Something Human", follows Bellamy as he attempts to return a VHS cassette to a video rental shop before turning into a werewolf, while being chased by police portrayed by bandmates Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme. Drake aimed to create an "epic journey" out of a simple task, such as returning a tape, while continuing the narrative of the previous two videos.[54] Continuing the 1980s-inspired visual style, the video takes place in a simulation, and makes more direct references to 80s media, such as Back to the Future and Teen Wolf; films that Bellamy had enjoyed during his childhood and wanted to recall as part of the video's simulation setting.[54] The following video, "The Dark Side", continues where the ending of "Something Human" left off and features Bellamy driving through a simulated dystopian landscape populated by giant robots.[31] [50] The video has invited comparisons to Cyberpunk and by critics.[55] The fifth music video, "Pressure", continues the 1980s pop culture references,[15] [16] and stars the band as performing as Rocket Baby Dolls (Muse's original band name) at a homecoming dance akin to a scene from Back to the Future,[14] and Terry Crews as a chaperone who uses a Ghostbusters-esque proton pack to subdue an outbreak of gremlin-like creatures.[15] [56] Critics also identified homages to Critters, the work of John Hughes, and Stranger Things.[15] [16] [56] A film based on the album and tour, Muse – Simulation Theory, was released in August 2020.[57]

Tour

See main article: Simulation Theory World Tour.

In September 2018, Muse revealed through a post on Twitter the name of twenty cities in North America and seventeen cities in Europe that the band intended to visit on their Simulation Theory World Tour.[58] In the same post, the band promised early access to tickets for the tour for people who pre-ordered the album.[58] [59] Technology was a focus in the design of the tour, with an intent to showcase "something that no one's ever seen before".[58] Early ideas for the tour included a system of magnets that would allow the band to levitate without wires.[1] The tour began in Houston on 22 February 2019, and ended on 15 October 2019, in Lima.[60]

Multiple bands played in the opening act, such as Tom Morello, Walk the Moon or SWMRS.[61] The shows on 14 and 15 September at The O2 Arena, London were filmed. The tour has grossed $100.4 million with more than 1.280 million tickets sold, based on 53 reported dates.[62]

Critical reception

Simulation Theory received generally mixed reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Simulation Theory has an average score of 63 based on 19 reviews. AllMusics Neil. Z Yeung praised the combination of electronic pop with "urgent, stadium rock foundation". Andrew Trendell of NME described the album as a "Tron-style pastiche of [Muse's] own adolescence", adding that "you'll be ashamed to tell anyone how much you love it."

The Guardians Michael Hann wrote that the "less poppy moments are the most exciting", citing the arpeggios and power chords of "Blockades" and the "none-more-jackbooted" synth bassline and "urgent" strings of "Algorithm". Christopher R. Weingarten of Rolling Stone found that the lyrical mix of relationships and political themes resulted in a confusing message.

Yeung found Simulation Theory to be "the least complicated or overly conceptual [Muse album] in over a decade", and felt that "the orchestral and dubstep meandering of [Muse's] previous 2010s output" was absent. Trendell wrote that Muse present their "bombast" by "indulg[ing] their guiltiest pleasures" rather than through the "operatic prog" found in their previous albums, and Hann commented that producers such as Shellback and Timbaland found "a new face to Muse ... to a certain extent". DIY writer Will Richards saw Simulation Theory as a continuation of the "absurdities" of Drones and concluded: "If a Muse album isn't meant to make you laugh, gasp and double-take in its ridiculousness, then we don't wanna hear it."[63]

Personnel

Muse

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Simulation Theory
Chart (2018)Peak
position
Estonian Albums (Eesti Ekspress)[64] 3
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[65] 17
Latvian Albums (LAIPA)[66] 20
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)[67] 10

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Simulation Theory
Chart (2018)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[68] 73
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[69] 21
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[70] 67
French Albums (SNEP)[71] 50
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[72] 48
Italian Albums (FIMI)[73] 72
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[74] 65
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[75] 71
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[76] 16
UK Albums (OCC)[77] 77
Chart (2019)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[78] 197
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[79] 64
French Albums (SNEP)[80] 118
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[81] 88
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[82] 56
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[83] 52

References

Sources

  1. Bellamy. Matthew. Greene. Andy. Matt Bellamy. Matt Bellamy on Muse's Rousing, Political New Song 'Thought Contagion'. Rolling Stone. 1 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180828090730/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/matt-bellamy-on-muses-rousing-political-new-song-thought-contagion-206025/. 28 August 2018. 1 September 2018. live.
  2. Bellamy. Matthew. Olivier. Bobby. Muse's Matt Bellamy Talks New Single 'Something Human' & 'Simulation' Themes on Upcoming Album. Billboard. 2 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180816064732/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8466062/muse-matt-bellamy-new-single-something-human-interview. 16 August 2018. 19 July 2018. live.
  3. Web site: Bellamy. Matthew. Savage. Mark. Muse: 'The guitar is no longer a lead instrument'. BBC News. 2 September 2018. https://archive.today/20180902012619/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43126988. 2 September 2018. 20 February 2018. live.
  4. Web site: Beaumont. Mark. Mark Beaumont (journalist). Muse's biographer: 'Simulation Theory' will find Muse going full 'San Junipero'. NME. 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901184136/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/muses-new-album-looks-set-go-full-san-junipero-2372792. 1 September 2018. 31 August 2018. live.

Citations

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hohnen . Mike . Muse Reach Peak Muse, Are Considering A Magnetic Stage So Band Can "Levitate" . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901233220/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/muse-reach-peak-muse-considering-magnetic-stage-band-levitate/ . 1 September 2018 . 26 October 2016. live.
  2. Web site: Yoo . Noah . Muse "Want to Do a Stage Made of Magnets So the Band Can Levitate" On Next Tour . . 1 September 2018 . 25 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Wilson . Zanda . Matt Bellamy Is "Going To Start Rapping" On Muse's Next Album . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901233004/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/matt-bellamy-going-start-rapping-muses-next-album/ . 1 September 2018 . 8 November 2016.
  4. Web site: Britton . Luke Morgan . Muse suggest surprising new direction on next album . . 1 September 2018 . 4 November 2016 . Asked by Absolute Radio if they could go acoustic, frontman Matt Bellamy said: "I feel like I say it every time with each album but I feel like it might be time to actually do something a bit more stripped down.".
  5. Web site: Varga . George . Muse may have made its last album, says drummer . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901233038/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-muse-drummer-dominic-howard-interview-2016jan06-htmlstory.html . 1 September 2018 . 6 January 2016 . "The way people consume music has changed so drastically over the past 10 years, it's insane," Howard continued. "And I'm the same. I certainly don't listen to albums all the way through now, like I used to. So we just thought, if we're going to release an album this time, we wanted to make it an album that makes sense from start to finish. It makes much more sense to go from start to finish, than just hear one or two songs.".
  6. News: Beaumont. Mark. Muse: Simulation Theory album review. Classic Rock. 10 November 2018.
  7. Web site: Teske . Lindsay . Muse Dive into Electronica on the Polarizing Simulation Theory . . 12 November 2018.
  8. Web site: Sterdan . Darryl . 2018-11-09 . Muse Simulation Theory . 2023-06-08 . Tinnitist . en-CA.
  9. Web site: 2018-11-09 . MUSE: Simulation Theory . 2023-06-08 . ALT ROCK PEOPLE . en-US.
  10. Web site: Review: Muse- Simulation Theory. SputnikMusic. SowingSeason.
  11. News: Muse release new track 'Thought Contagion'. O'Connor. Roisin. 16 February 2018. 2 September 2018. https://archive.today/20180902025713/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/muse-thought-contagion-listen-new-music-album-release-date-tour-festivals-matt-bellamy-a8213411.html. 2 September 2018. live. and we're also interested in doing some genre-blending and era-blending.. The Independent.
  12. Web site: Muse's 'Thought Contagion' Is Inspired by Trump Supporters. Childers. Chad. 16 February 2018. Loudwire. 2 September 2018. Bellamy also teased a track called "Algorithm" that has "blended a bit of romantic classical piano with like '80s synth, computer game music.".
  13. Web site: Schatz . Lake . Muse to release new album in November, unleash "Something Human" as first single: Stream . . 2 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180831071711/https://consequence.net/2018/07/muse-something-human/ . 31 August 2018 . 19 July 2018. "Something Human" finds the alt-rockers tracking a much more mellow route here, trading in crunchy prog-rock for — get this — something along the lines of folk pop. [...] The song was co-produced by the band with help from Rich Costey.. live.
  14. Web site: Trendell. Andrew. Muse go 'back to the future' in new video for their 'straight rock single' 'Pressure'. NME. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180928025047/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-new-single-video-pressure-2383582. 28 September 2018. 27 September 2018. "It's more like a straight Muse rock track," Bellamy told Radio X. "It's like a different riff every 10 seconds, basically." [...] the scene shifts to a high school prom – seemingly recreating the prom scene in Back To The Future, with Muse assuming the role of the band and the frontman appearing to be dressed as Marty McFly.. live.
  15. Web site: Worthington. Clint. Muse premiere new single "Pressure" and Terry Crews-starring video: Stream. Consequence of Sound. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180928025037/https://consequence.net/2018/09/muse-pressure-music-video/. 28 September 2018. 28 September 2018. ...driving power chords, catchy hooks, pure wall-of-sound nerd rock. The addition of horns to the song's central riff [...] the song’s power-pop sensibilities. [...] is a big, silly, over-the-top '80s throwback, featuring everything from a John Hughes-y school dance to Terry Crews zapping gremlins with a Ghostbuster-like proton pack.. live.
  16. Marina. Pedrosa. Muse Goes Back to the '80s for Sci-Fi 'Pressure' Video: Watch. Billboard. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180928025034/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8477257/muse-pressure-video. 28 September 2018. 27 September 2018. ...their new '80s high school homecoming-meets-Stranger Things music video for "Pressure," [...] The multiple-riff, guitar-heavy tune features some impressive melodic arrangements and a full-bodied vocal attack by frontman Matt Bellamy.. live.
  17. Web site: Slingerland . Calum . Muse Return with "Dig Down" . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902011853/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/muse_return_with_dig_down_share_video . 2 September 2018 . 18 May 2017. live.
  18. News: The Planets. Butcher. David. Radio Times. 12 February 2020.
  19. News: O'Connor . Roisin . Muse are back in the studio recording new music . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901175855/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/muse-new-music-album-release-date-tour-reading-and-leeds-headlining-how-to-get-tickets-a7669746.html . 1 September 2018 . 6 April 2017. live.
  20. Web site: Murphy . Sam . Muse Are Back In The Studio And Have A New Song "Coming Soon" . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901221350/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/muse-back-studio-new-song-coming-soon/ . 1 September 2018 . 6 April 2017. live.
  21. Web site: Schulz . Chris . Superproducer Mike Elizondo 'blown away' by Kiwi singer . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901174748/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11810629 . 1 September 2018 . 3 March 2017 . ...and landed in New Zealand fresh from a songwriting session with stadium rockers Muse.... live.
  22. Cobo . Leila . Muse Dazzles at Stunning Summer Tour Kickoff in West Palm Beach . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901222931/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7801142/muse-west-palm-beach-concert-recap-2017 . 1 September 2018 . 20 May 2018. live.
  23. Web site: Trendell . Andrew . Muse have recorded 'three new songs' in a London recording studio . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901215821/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-recorded-three-new-songs-london-recording-studio-2016810 . 1 September 2018 . 14 March 2017. live.
  24. Leight . Elias . See Muse's Violent, Kung-Fu-Filled 'Dig Down' Video . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902011921/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-muses-violent-kung-fu-filled-dig-down-video-123273/ . 2 September 2018 . 18 May 2017. live.
  25. Web site: Strauss . Matthew . Watch Muse's Video for New Song "Dig Down" . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180615135605/https://pitchfork.com/news/73592-watch-muses-video-for-new-song-dig-down/ . 15 June 2018 . 18 May 2017. live.
  26. Web site: Geslani . Michelle . Muse share action-packed video for new single "Dig Down" . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901215825/https://consequence.net/2017/05/muse-share-action-packed-video-for-new-single-dig-down-watch/ . 1 September 2018 . 18 May 2017. live.
  27. Web site: Trendell . Andrew . Muse are back in the studio – with an old friend and collaborator . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901215748/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-back-studio-old-friend-collaborator-2149345 . 1 September 2018 . 12 October 2017. live.
  28. Web site: Connick . Tom . Muse's new album 'Simulation Theory' - everything we know so far . . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002519/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/muse-new-album-release-date-title-tour-plans-everything-know-far-2371994 . 31 August 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  29. Web site: Rockol staff . I Muse di nuovo al lavoro con il produttore Rich Costay . Rockol . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901190822/https://www.rockol.it/news-679564/muse-nuovo-al-lavoro-il-produttore-rich-costay . 1 September 2018 . it . 12 October 2017. live.
  30. Web site: Variety staff . Muse Uses 'Stranger Things' as Inspiration for Cover Art to New Album . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180901215634/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/muse-new-album-simulation-theory-with-cover-stranger-things-1202922426/ . 1 September 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  31. Blistein . Jon . Muse Preview New Album 'Simulation Theory' With Slick Song 'The Dark Side' . . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830190721/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/muse-new-album-simulation-theory-the-dark-side-717448/ . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  32. Web site: Young . Alex . Muse announce new album, Simulation Theory, unveil "The Dark Side": Stream . . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830190753/https://consequence.net/2018/08/muse-announce-simulation-theory/ . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  33. Web site: Daly. Rhian. Here's how Muse's new album artwork was created using an iPad. NME. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024124544/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muses-new-album-artwork-simulation-theory-created-ipad-2392832. 24 October 2018. 23 October 2018. ...Lambert shows the process behind the sci-fi imagery that will adorn the sleeve of 'Simulation Theory'. In the beginning, he can be seen creating line drawings on his iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil.... live.
  34. Web site: Cao. Peter. Muse's 'Simulation Theory' album artwork created with Apple Pencil and iPad Pro. 9to5Mac. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024124547/https://9to5mac.com/2018/10/22/muse-simulation-theory-ipad-pro-apple-pencil/. 24 October 2018. 22 October 2018. ...both the album artwork and the video teaser was almost entirely created with the iPad Pro using the Apple Pencil.. live.
  35. Web site: Lucchesi . Nick . Who Do We Blame for Muse's 'Simulation Theory'? . . 30 August 2018 . https://archive.today/20180830195305/https://www.inverse.com/article/48543-muse-simulation-theory-album-explanation . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018 . The artwork for Muse’s Simulation Theory feels very much like an elevated version of the ‘80s Text Generator meme that was popular two years ago, an aesthetic that was no-doubt inspired by Stranger Things.. live.
  36. Web site: Ewing . Jerry . Muse to release new album Simulation Theory on November 9 . . 30 August 2018 . https://archive.today/20180830195219/https://www.loudersound.com/news/muse-to-release-new-album-simulation-theory-on-november-9 . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  37. News: O'Connor . Roisin . Muse tease new single and video on social media . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901180249/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/muse-new-album-music-release-date-video-reading-and-leeds-festival-headliners-instagram-a7725901.html . 1 September 2018 . 9 May 2017. live.
  38. Web site: Anderton . Joe . Muse tease their long-awaited comeback with cryptic video . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901180646/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a827804/muse-tease-new-singe-comeback-cryptic-video-teaser/ . 1 September 2018 . 8 May 2017. live.
  39. Kaufman . Gil . Muse Tease New Music in Cryptic Video . . 1 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902033558/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7791770/muse-tease-new-music-video . 2 September 2018 . 9 May 2017. live.
  40. Web site: Swiatecki . Chad . Muse delivers lots of moments big and small, and one great live show . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901170649/http://music.blog.austin360.com/2017/06/11/muse-delivers-lots-of-moments-big-and-small-and-one-great-live-show/ . 1 September 2018 . 11 June 2017 . ...but the only taste of Muse-to-come came at the top of the show with "Dig Down," the single released in May in advance of the tour.. live.
  41. Web site: Saxberg . Lynn . Bluesfest review: Muse energy level set to stun . . 1 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180901170953/https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/bluesfest-review-muse-energy-level-set-to-stun . 1 September 2018 . 16 July 2017 . ...there was some catching up to do, starting with a brand-new tune entitled Dig Down.. live.
  42. Web site: Kielty . Martin . Muse Are Planning More Singles Before Their Next Album . Diffuser . 2 September 2018 . 11 December 2017.
  43. Web site: McIntyre . Hugh . The Most Anticipated Rock Albums Of 2018 . . 2 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180902024740/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/12/21/the-most-anticipated-rock-albums-of-2018/%237d0465537942 . 2 September 2018 . 21 December 2017 . ...a second single (or at least a new song) entitled "Thought Contagion" will come soon..
  44. Braca . Nina . Muse Share Infectious New Song & Video 'Thought Contagion' . . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815235317/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8099960/muse-new-song-video-thought-contagion . 15 August 2018 . 15 February 2018. live.
  45. Web site: Blais-Billie . Braudie . Phillips . Amy . Muse's New Song "Thought Contagion" Is About Memes: Video . . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084149/https://pitchfork.com/news/muses-new-song-thought-contagion-is-about-memes-listen/ . 2 September 2018 . 15 February 2018. live.
  46. Cummings-Grady . Mackenzie . Muse Share Teaser From Inside the Studio as They Work on New Album: Watch . . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902095923/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8457364/muse-share-video-recording-next-album-studio . 2 September 2018 . 22 May 2018. live.
  47. Web site: Davis . Amber J. . Muse Turns Bonnaroo Into an Action Adventure Friday Night . . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902151705/https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/spin/article/21008611/muse-turns-bonnaroo-into-an-action-adventure-friday-night . 2 September 2018 . 9 June 2018. live.
  48. Web site: Mack . Emmy . Muse To Release New Album In November, Share First Single 'Something Human' . . 2 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180902041329/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/muse-release-new-album-november-first-single-something-human/ . 2 September 2018 . 20 July 2018. live.
  49. Web site: Sodomsky . Sam . Muse Announce New Album Simulation Theory, Share Song "The Dark Side": Listen . . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830190743/https://pitchfork.com/news/muse-announce-new-album-simulation-theory-share-song-the-dark-side-listen/ . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  50. Web site: Andrew . Trendell . Muse unveil new single 'The Dark Side' and announce new album 'Simulation Theory' . . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830190748/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-unveil-new-single-dark-side-announce-new-album-simulation-theory-2372513 . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018. live.
  51. Web site: Roberts . Christopher . Muse Share Sci-Fi Video for New Song "Dig Down" . . 2 September 2018 . https://archive.today/20180902150414/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/muse_share_sci-fi_video_for_new_song_dig_down/ . 2 September 2018 . 18 May 2017 . Lance Drake directed the science fiction styled video, which stars model and activist Lauren Wasser as she tries to escape from some sort of facility. The band appear on TV screens, with frontman Matt Bellamy looking a bit like 1980s computer generated cult character Max Headroom.. live.
  52. Web site: Gallucci . Michael . Watch the Video for Muse's New Song, 'Thought Contagion' . Ultimate Classic Rock . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902183904/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/muse-thought-contagion/ . 2 September 2018 . 15 February 2018 . The video for the song – which features Muse's usual mix of flashy alt-rock and Queen-sized theatrics – is a neon-drenched dance party that plays into some of these modern-day anxieties.. live.
  53. Web site: Thomas . Helen Meriel . Are Muse casting for their new music video? . . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220632/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-video-casting-call-grungy-punks-thought-contagion-2225905 . 2 September 2018 . 22 January 2018 . "We're looking for a couple of super edgy guys to play punk/street guys," reads the 'grungy punks' ad. "Wild hair, tattoos and piercings welcome.". live.
  54. Web site: Maine . Samantha . Muse have shared a futuristic, Teen Wolf inspired video for 'Something Human' . . 2 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220719/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-new-video-something-human-2356634 . 2 September 2018 . 19 July 2018 . "Our aim with 'Something Human' was to continue the journey that began in 'Dig Down' and 'Thought Contagion," Drake said. "Pulling further into a simulated world we follow Matt, Dom, and, Chris on the chase of a lifetime – where something as simple as returning some video tapes becomes an epic journey.". live.
  55. Rincón . Alessandra . Muse Announce New Album 'Simulation Theory,' Share Pounding Track 'The Dark Side': Watch . . 2 September 2018 . 30 August 2018 . ...and debuted a Cyberpunk-esque video for a new single called "The Dark Side" today..
  56. Grow. Kory. See Muse Play High School Dance Gone Wrong In New 'Pressure' Video. Rolling Stone. 28 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180928025044/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-muse-play-high-school-dance-gone-wrong-in-new-pressure-video-729994/. 28 September 2018. 27 September 2018. ...and a chaperone, Terry Crews. When two students ride their bikes into the science lab, things go horribly wrong with a sequence that owes a debt to sci-fi movies like Critters.. live.
  57. Web site: 2020-08-11. Muse announce 'Simulation Theory' movie IMAX experience and new box set NME. 2020-08-25. NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs NME.COM. en-GB.
  58. Web site: Trendell. Andrew. Muse announce the cities for their 2019 UK and world tour. NME. 5 October 2018. https://archive.today/20181005190755/https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-2019-uk-europe-world-tour-tickets-2384337. 5 October 2018. 28 September 2018. the band have told fans that anyone who pre-orders the album here will have early access to their 2019 headline tour. Revealing the cities they’ll be playing, [...] We’re going to come up with something that no one’s ever seen before. We’re always interested in the latest technology and what’s cutting edge.... live.
  59. Web site: Kerrang! staff. Muse Announce Which Cities They'll Be Playing On 2019 Tour. Kerrang!. 5 October 2018. https://archive.today/20181005190707/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/muse-announce-which-cities-theyll-be-playing-on-2019-tour/. 5 October 2018. 28 September 2018. ...fans who pre-order their new album Simulation Theory gaining early access to tickets. More cities are still set to be announced!. live.
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  65. Web site: Simulation Theory on Billboard Japan Hot Albums. Billboard Japan. September 23, 2020. ja.
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  73. Web site: Classifiche Annuali Top of the Music FIMI/GfK 2018: Protagonista La Musica Italiana. it. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. 7 January 2019. 11 January 2019. Download the attachment and open the albums file.
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