As the release of their tenth studio album, The Wow! Signal looms large, Muse have just released the fifth single, “Nightshift Superstar”. The second song on the album is a funky, ethereal, disco-tastic piece that will no doubt delight, confuse, and intrigue fans.
Kicking off with swirling synthesiser, it immediately transports us into an intergalactic roller-rink, flowing effortlessly along as Matt Bellamy‘s vocals hit heights that sound like he ate one of The Bee Gees for breakfast. His trademark falsetto is present, blending with modulated harmonies, and leading into a building chorus of children’s’ voices singing the title on repeat. Dom Howard drives the pace beautifully, with a rock-solid groove beneath it all.
The golden child is the bass line that shifts between whispers, thundering punches, and throaty growls, weaving magically in Chris Wolstenholme’s signature style. Filled with slap bass and intricate fretwork, it’s a thing of beauty to this bass-loving writer. I’m elated to hear the low end celebrated so elegantly. Known for his astonishing melodic bass lines, he doesn’t disappoint here—the bass sits front and centre throughout the track.
No doubt the idea of Disco Muse will be off-putting to some, but, as with “Be With You”, it’s worth investing your time to build a relationship with it, particularly in the context of the album as a whole. If you’d told me that I’d not only be enjoying it, but embracing it, I’d probably have asked you to check your medication.
Muse continue to evade being pigeon-holed, cranking out genuine surprises like “Nightshift Superstar” ten albums into their stellar career. I’m all in. Roll on the 26th June.
Header image credit: POLOCHO
