I like the album overall, although it may not be everything I wish Muse "should" be. But I have a bigger issue with the production/mastering side of things. The Dynamic range is pretty much terrible all through, with the lowest point being Kill or Be Killed at a whopping low 3 DR (!). No wonder it sounds so "in your face" and fatiguing. Didn't Matt at some point badmouth Rick Rubin for the "loudness wars"? Seems ironic now considering his music is some of the industrys worst, dynamically speaking... I recently purchased The 2nd Law Hi-res version, the one that has improved dynamics apart from the resolution aspect. It sounds much better, although it might be a bit subtle for the untrained ear at a first glance. Will of the People would sound so much better if it got a similar treatment.

It's fine and might grow on me, although I'm (like elsewhere on the album) not a huge fan of the production and sound overall. It sounds overly compressed and there's this rather weird drum mix change between the verses and choruses that doesn't blend very well or frankly sound all that good. Apart from maxing out the sound too much, I sometimes can't help but wonder why some bands such as Muse seem to do all they can to mask or hide away the natural sound of the drums. Like the whole point is to make them not sound like the work of a real drummer anymore. I just don't get it, and I really miss a more natural drum sound in many songs -- which I think could've benefitted greatly from it. In others (such as Halloween) it's a perfectly fine and suitable stylistic choice, however. To me alot of songs on this album is a bit overwhelming and fatiguing to listen to slightly cranked up... Killed or be Killed could have sounded better by just lowering the whole drum track slightly IMO. It's a bit too hard-hitting and in your face for this kind of song and playing, alteast to my taste. From the bunch of songs we haven't heard prior to the release, I think I'm so far most positively surprised by We Are Fucking Fucked, Liberation and Verona. Halloween definitely wasn't as bad as I feared it would be either. Certainly a more fun and interestingly constructed Simulation Theroy-style song than several songs on, well, Simulation Theory.

^Also playing to backing tracks means a fixed tempo, which takes away the point with playing live in some regards IMO. It's not as dynamic and lively, that way. If I were in a band at this level, I certainly wouldn't want to play to a "click" in live situations too... (apart from some rare cases where there would be no good workaround, obviously)

My biggest gripe personally (besides the slightly awkward "cut off" on the guitars on the verses) is the drum sound. It too loude and in-your-face to my taste, overly compressed and unnatural sounding. Perhaps just lowering it slightly in volume would've been good enough, though. I guess the sound of the rums isn't too far away from, let's say, Reapers. But atleast they breathed a little more there; wasn't as undynamic and in the forefront, atleast to my ears. A little more vocal reverb/echo on the choruses would have been welcome too. I think that could've evelated the overall impression.

^ Hehe okay, totally missed that!

Matt shares some album details and insights in the interview. Some personal highlights from what I've heard of it so far: • When talking about fan expectations and the fact that alot of people still just want "8 minute prog songs", he said that he thinks Muse still have a "really deep prog album within" them -- as in they might do something like that in the future. • He said they apporeached Will of the People is almost like a "best of Muse" album, but with new songs rather than releasing a traditional greatest hits album (which the record label wanted them to do). • Apparantly Dom was given more of a leader roll this time around, which I think sounds positive as according to Matt, Dom thinks they've perhaps strayed a bit too far recently (if I understood it correctly one example would be that he simply wants to play the drums, rather than having them programmed too much). Yeah, there might be more but take a listen for yourself!

Song lengths shown on the setlist is a bit worrying, I think, as songs have gotten shorter for each album. To me that implies less experimental song structures and perhaps more tightly produced songs in a sort of pop-songwriting-formula kind of away. Which is exactly what I had hoped they would steer away from. It was something Simulation Theory suffered from, IMO, where-as Drones hade more songs that actually evolved over time in interesting ways. It could also be that the tempo are just generally very fast, although I doubt that will would be the main reason behind it. Well well -- time will tell...

Not only is the song not very good, but above all else I really miss the way Matt used to sing. The way he do some of the verses these days -- Thought Contagion, Won't Stand Down, Compliance -- too me sounds like an old person trying to sound modern. Which is rarely a good idea. It's just not who he is, and what his voice and singing style is suited for. That's a shame. What's also a shames is the growing feeling that their incredible musical talent as a band is utilised less and less for every album. Where's the finesse?

^ Yes. I would love the album to come out already in march but have a feeling it might be may or something, closer to the summer festival gigs.

There are additional indications, I mean, this Instagram post make it pretty obvious it's just not one song: "Super excited to see these babies start going out into the world" Link: https://www.instagram.com/avonkorff/p/CYrH-ThFvWu/?utm_medium=share_sheet

What if the album is acually called 2022? Or perhaps a song. Could it be that the album revolve around what's happening right now, the global situation at this very moment, and are titled thereafter? But I don't know, it's probably a longshot. I don't hope it's more like a "yeah, the album will be out sometime 2022" message because I really had hoped, considering one song is already out, it would be out april-may.

A bit surprised someone could come to a conclusion there's simalariies between this and Get Up and Fight, which must be the worst song they've ever done. It's just straight out terrible and it comes as no surprise it happen to be the only song with an external - mainly pop-oriented - songwriter involved. They sound nothing alike. I have no issues whatsoever with the chorus in Won't Stand Down, sounds very typical Muse to me. The verses, however, I will never be sold on. I sure hope it's not a reocurring vocal style for the album, it just doesn't suit Muse and Matt.

I'm not too keen on this hip hop/modern pop-influenced rhythm of the verses. It's not my cup of tea, but above else I just don't think it suits Muse and Matt very good at all. I think they should avoid that territory. However, I think it would've been much more interesting, better and not as repetitive if the second verse developed into something else, rather than being identical to the first one -- for instance a more traditional singing style. That could've evelated it from good to really good, IMO. The choruses and the rest are pretty good though, despite the somewhat odd mixing choices here and there.

^The Dark Side was released prior to album release as well, with music video. Drones had some really good songs IMO, such as Psycho, Dead Inside, Reapers and Defector. Even fantastic ones - The Handler. Simulation Theory was a much bigger disappointment. Atleast Drones still had Matts signature guitar playing and finesse. I'm surprised so few mentioned that aspect of the music. It becomes more and more simple in a way that doesn't utilize the unique talent within the band.

Not sure but I'm very pleased as long as they don't. Sometimes the truth is harsh.