"Drones" is Muse's seventh studio album, released in 2015 through Warner Bros. Records and the band's Helium-3 imprint. Recorded primarily in Vancouver and Milan, with production by the band and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, it's a concept album revolving around a soldier's journey from indoctrination as a "human drone" to eventual defection, also commenting on the Obama administration's drone program. Departing from their previous orchestral and electronic styles, Muse aimed for a straightforward rock sound.
Critically, "Drones" received mixed-to-positive reviews, lauded for its instrumentation but criticized for its concept and lyrics. Nonetheless, it topped numerous international charts and earned Muse their fifth consecutive UK number-one album. It sold over a million copies worldwide in 2015, ranking as the year's 19th best-selling album. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and received recognition in year-end lists from NME, Diffuser.fm, and Rolling Stone.
Supported by an extensive world tour spanning 2015 to 2016, "Drones" grossed $88.5 million from 132 shows, including festival appearances and arena gigs. A concert film of the tour, "Muse: Drones World Tour," was released in cinemas in July 2018.
