About the Album: How do you review an album the lead singer touted as “Christian gangsta-rap jazz odyssey, with some ambient rebellious dubstep and face-melting metal flamenco cowboy psychedelia.” Not sure if “The 2^nd Law” actually hits all those boxes, however Muse’s first album in 6 years doesn’t disappoint. The group embraced dubstep which meshed surprisingly well with their existing sound and Matthew Bellamy’s operatic vocals. The first single “Madness” was quietly understated and without the screaming tones they first became famous for, and marked growth and depth in their sound. Out on 10/2/12.

Track Spotlight: Follow Me is a song about Bellamy’s baby with actress Kate Hudson: “I will keep you safe, I will protect you, I won’t let them harm you,” he sings. The synthesizers in the song highlight the futility of that parental wish, but convey meaning nonetheless.