The Resistance is the fifth studio album by Teignmouth super-trio Muse. This is the follow up from predecessor Black Holes & Revelations which is where we see Muse change their musical direction. Black Holes was bonkers because they had completely pushed boundaries and introduced genres that critics or fans didn’t expect. So will The Resistance please and tickle any nerves in fans to leave them surprised and overwhelmed again?

The album starts with a thumping drum-beat which reflects Bellamy’s powerful political statement about fat cat politicians having heart attacks in Uprising. The song gives the listener some sense of wanting to support Bellamy’s views because of what current affairs in the world of politics have led to. Resistance has lovely arrangements beginning with the drumming on toms accompanied by sophisticated piano-playing which is stunning. What stands out the most on Resistance is the chorus which completely changes from the beginning. Undisclosed Desires follows the traits of Supermassive Black Hole from predecessor Black Holes & Revelations but with a hell of a lot more punch and flavours of electronica. 

Undisclosed Desires is probably one of the best songs Muse have ever produced because of the way they have embellished the dance and electronic sound in their music. Muse have just gone that one step further on The Resistance. The lyrics “I want to reconcile the violence in your heart, I want to recognise your beauty is not just a mask” would leave anybody hopelessly falling in love with Muse. United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage is another song of contrasts that Muse have done. It incorporates an Arabian sound after the Queen-esque chant “There can be only one!” United States continues into Collateral Damage which is Chopin’s Opus 9, No. 2. It shows Muse are definitely not afraid of bringing out their musical heroes. Guiding Light has hints of stadium-rock. The song partly revolves around the band’s two shows at Wembley Stadium in 2007. Take Micro-cuts and The Small Print, now combine them together and what do you get? MK Ultra. MK Ultra‘s riff catches the listener’s attention immediately leaving them hypnotised.

But the absolute pinnacle of The Resistance is by far the three-part Exogenesis Symphony. This sees Bellamy in control of a 50 string quartet, now isn’t that impressive? Exogenesis Symphony has influences from Rachmaninov, Chopin, Pink Floyd and Richard Strauss. For Muse fans that lost hope after 2003’s Absolution, the three part Exogenesis Symphony will leave even these fans stunned. It shows Muse are innovative composers for their time because composing symphonies is incredibly complex. It’s very rare to even come across symphonies in modern day rock albums. The Resistance is a wonderful comeback and follow up from Black Holes & Revelations because it encompasses a lot of genres which makes it outrageous, bonkers and beautiful. As any fan will know, every Muse album always leaves the listener on an absolute cliffhanger, wanting you to come back for even more. The Resistance is no exception. It’s an album where Muse have outdone themselves once again. All you can do is just sit back and admire the music.