British rock band Muse is reaching for the stars with their upcoming album, Will of the People, set for release on June 26 via Warner Records. The band is launching the project with the single “Be With You,” a track described as traversing two galaxies – one reminiscent of Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar soundtrack, and the other a pulsating nightclub vibe. Muse’s music has often been described as otherworldly, and this new album appears to lean into that reputation.
To mark the launch, Muse partnered with Sent Into Space to send a custom tablet 20 miles into the Earth’s atmosphere. While aloft, the tablet streamed the premiere of the “Be With You” music video, starring Ella Balinska (Resident Evil, Charlie’s Angels) and directed by Nico Pawelczyk (Silent Night, Bad News). The band also plans to release a limited-edition vinyl package, reportedly including collectible stickers.
The single features vocalist Matt Bellamy singing, “My light seems swallowed, I’ve exhausted every ounce of luck / I need to jump into the fire, find a higher power, reach for something new.” According to a statement from Warner Music, the album is a “blend of cosmic mystery, existential hope, and the exhilarating possibility of connecting with something far greater than ourselves.”
Formed in Devon, England, in the mid-1990s, Muse has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and garnered numerous awards, including Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, and NME Awards. They’ve also earned Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album, first with The Resistance (2009) and later with Drones (2015). The band has achieved significant chart success in the United States, with three titles on the Billboard Hot 100 and 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including a number-one debut with Drones.
Inspired by a Mysterious Radio Signal
The new album’s title draws inspiration from one of modern science’s most enduring enigmas: the “Wow! signal.” This powerful radio signal, lasting 72 seconds, was detected in 1977 emanating from the constellation Sagittarius. Its bandwidth and intensity suggested a potential extraterrestrial origin, though the source has never been identified, and the signal has not been detected again. MSN Arabia reports that the signal remains a source of fascination for scientists and science fiction enthusiasts alike.
The researcher who discovered the anomaly circled the sequence “6EQUJ5” on the printed data and wrote “Wow!” – a moment that has resonated in popular culture and the scientific community, and which serves as a central theme for the Netflix science fiction series 3 Body Problem.
Fans can watch the “Be With You” music video and preview the Will of the People tracklist below.
Will of the People Tracklist
Will of the People Tracklist:
1. Dark Forest
2. Night Shift Superstar
3. Glittering Scars
4. Cryogen
5. Be With You
6. Hexagons
7. Sickness in You and Me
8. Collapse
9. Silence
10. Space Debris
Muse’s continued exploration of ambitious themes and innovative presentation, as evidenced by the atmospheric tablet launch, suggests a band committed to pushing creative boundaries. The release of Will of the People on June 26th will be closely watched by fans and critics alike, eager to see how the band translates the mystery of the “Wow! signal” into a sonic experience.
The band’s next confirmed engagement is the album release on June 26th. Further tour dates and promotional appearances are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
What are your initial thoughts on the new single, “Be With You”? Share your reactions and predictions for the album in the comments below.
