Guide
After weeks of cryptic social media posts featuring amber imagery and phrases like “an insect trapped in amber,” Muse, the UK rockers have finally emerged from their three-year creative hibernation with “Unravelling.” Released on 20th June as their first new material since 2022’s “Will Of The People,” this single feels like both a return to form and a big step forward for Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dom Howard.
Song Analysis (Unravelling Review)
The track starts as it means to continue with the band’s signature atmospheric synth arpeggios immediately taking me back to “The 2nd Law” era, but there’s something more menacing lurking beneath the surface this time. The song builds from 80s atmospheric arpeggiated synths into a low-tuned metal riff, revealing what appears to be Matt’s first foray into 8-string guitar territory. Also, the technical evolution adds a crushing weight to the bottom end that feels genuinely fresh for the band.
What strikes me is how “Unravelling” manages to feel somewhat familiar but also surprising. The opening synth work could have been lifted from “Simulation Theory,” but when the metal section hits, it’s clear this isn’t just Muse playing it safe. The song has elements of prog-metal, metalcore, and electronica too, with vibes similar to those of Won’t Stand Down, yet it finds its own distinct space in their catalogue.
Production-wise, the collaboration with Dan Lancaster (who’s worked with Bring Me The Horizon and Blink-182) brings a modern edge without sacrificing the band’s cinematic scope. The song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and you can hear that legendary room’s warmth even through the heavier sections.
Muse – “Unravelling” Lyrics (Unravelling Review)
Intro
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
Verse 1
An insect trapped in amber, I’m a fading pulse
The ecstasy was false
Our love is an unlit script no one can memorise
Redacted and revised
I’ll lie beside you and I’ll try to play along
Refrain
An insect trapped in amber, I’m a static hum
No longer happy dumb
Pre-Chorus
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-) Unravelling
Chorus
Feeling the glow
Die inside of our bones
This is a hymn for our love
With no God and no throne
Post-Chorus
(Un-un-unravelling)
Verse 2
Your eyes go cold at sunrise as we disembark
You left me in the dark
Refrain
An insect trapped in amber, I’m a fading high
Our heaven is a lie
Pre-Chorus
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-) Unravelling
Chorus
Feeling the glow
Die inside of our bones
This is a hymn for our love
With no God and no throne (Un-un-unravelling)
Breakdown
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-) Unravelling
Guitar Solo
Chorus
Feeling the glow
Die inside of our bones
This is a hymn for our love
With no God and no throne, no throne (Un-un-unravelling)
Outro
(Un-un-unravelling)
(Un-un-unravelling)
Meaning (My Opinion) (Unravelling Review)
The lyrics feel personal yet likely relatable too many in the way Bellamy often manages to achieve. When he sings about “feeling the glow” that dies “inside of our bones,” there’s thais sense of something beautiful slowly deteriorating from within. To me, this captures that moment in a relationship or situation where you can feel the foundations starting to crack even when everything still looks intact on the surface. Also, the imagery of bones suggests something fundamental and structural, not just emotions on the surface level. It’s the kind of slow-burn dissolution that happens gradually then suddenly all at once.
The line “this is a hymn for our love with no god and no throne” particularly resonates when it comes to modern relationships and belief systems. Bellamy seems to be acknowledging that we’re trying to hold onto something sacred in a world that’s lost its traditional anchors of meaning; yes it’s deep. There’s no higher authority to appeal to, no divine structure to provide stability, yet we still need our rituals and devotions.
Listen To “Unravelling” By Muse (Unravelling Review)
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