"Showbiz" is the debut studio album by the English rock band Muse, released on September 7, 1999, through Taste Media. It was later released in various regions under different labels, including Naïve in France, Motor in Germany, Maverick in the US, and Avex Trax in Japan. The album was recorded between April and May 1999 at RAK Studios and Sawmills Studio, and was produced by John Leckie and Paul Reeve with the band. It features five singles: "Uno," "Cave," "Muscle Museum," "Sunburn," and "Unintended." Although it received mixed reviews from critics, "Showbiz" achieved moderate commercial success, reaching number 29 on the UK Albums Chart and selling over 1.2 million copies worldwide by 2018.
"Showbiz" was recorded from April to May 1999, but it included older songs from Muse’s repertoire, some dating back to 1996. By 1997, most of the album's tracks had already been written. The band chose the more conventional and straightforward songs for the album, leaving the more experimental material for B-sides and the compilation album "Hullabaloo Soundtrack." The album features a mix of alternative rock with subtle influences from classical, jazz, blues, Latin, and world music. Producer John Leckie, who began attending Muse's concerts in late 1998 and had a prior connection through the band’s use of Sawmills studio, worked on the album after building a relationship with the band. The recording was completed by May 15, 1999.
