NME Reviews

Muse : Hysteria

Proving that the Big Bang was a pop thing

Suffice to say the title is the only thing understated about ‘Hysteria’. But then, what exactly did you expect? And more importantly, what exactly did you want? No need to confess, because Muse already understand better than anyone the guilty pleasure that is sitting alone in a darkened room listening to their button-pushing vocal theatrics, crescendo-exaggerated basslines and histrionic-metal speed-guitars. What's that you say? We're the only ones who do that? Liars. But there's no shame involved in being swept along in ‘Hysteria’’s self-indulgent warp-speed rock, because it somehow manages to wrap up Muse’s pomp and majesty in what is a fabulously transparent, bewilderingly unpretentious, pop-glam hit. And that's what makes Muse so clever they’ll be the only ones who’ve moved to Pluto before the asteroid hits.


Krissi Murison

Add your comment

NME Alerts

Get NME news delivered direct to your desktop. Find out more

Please sign in

Forgot your password?

Register with MyNME

Every Tuesday

  • Breaking News stories
  • All you need to know about the week's NME magazine
  • Live, Album and Track reviews
  • Tip offs about the most important Gigs
  • All the latest NME.COM video exclusives

Every Friday

  • NME.COM's free mini-magazine
  • Gig listings for the weekend
  • All the most important Album and Track reviews
  • The week's biggest News stories
  • Competitions - with exclusive music prizes
  • plus loads more!

In The Magazine

This Week's Issue
  • The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • Agenda-setting news and fiery comment
  • Must-read interviews with the planet's hottest bands
  • Hundreds of UK gigs listed every week
  • Unrivalled access to the artists that matter
  • Subscribe today and get 1/3rd off NME