"Simulation Theory" is the eighth studio album by English rock band Muse, released on November 9, 2018, through Warner Bros. Records and Helium-3. The album marked a shift in musical direction, incorporating lighter influences from science fiction and 1980s pop culture, with a strong emphasis on synthesizers. The themes of the album were partly shaped by the political climate of the United States, reflecting the anxieties and concerns of the time.
After the conclusion of their Drones World Tour, the band expressed an eagerness to create a new, more ambitious project, exploring different musical directions. Frontman Matt Bellamy considered experimenting with hip-hop or a more stripped-back acoustic sound, while drummer Dominic Howard suggested focusing on releasing singles or EPs to engage specific audiences. Ultimately, the band decided to take a more track-by-track approach, recording one song at a time, as opposed to focusing on an album as a whole, a shift from their previous processes.
The album was produced by Muse alongside several collaborators, including Rich Costey, Mike Elizondo, Shellback, and Timbaland. Recording began in early 2017 at AIR Studios in London, with Elizondo, and continued in Los Angeles later that year with Costey, who had previously worked with the band on Absolution (2003) and Black Holes and Revelations (2006).
Musically, Simulation Theory blends electronic rock, new wave, synth-pop, and electro-funk, drawing from a variety of influences across different eras. Bellamy described the album as exploring the idea that "fantasy becomes real," with a focus on simulation and the simulation hypothesis—the concept that reality may be a computer-generated simulation. This thematic shift was a departure from the darker tones of their prior albums.
The opening track, "Algorithm," features a mix of classical piano and 80s-inspired synthesizers, while "Something Human" was written as a more down-to-earth and tender response to the darker vibes of Drones. "Pressure," with its power pop sound, contrasts horns with guitars and features interchanging riffs. "Dig Down," written early in the process, was inspired by the political climate, particularly after the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US presidential election, offering a message of optimism and resistance.
"Thought Contagion," another key track, was written in late 2017 and was influenced by Bellamy's observations of American news and the spread of misinformation. The song’s title was inspired by Richard Dawkins' concept of "memes," the spread of ideas or thoughts as if they were viruses. The track features an unusual mix of theremin melodies and vocal harmonies, with a trap-inspired drum sequence.
The album's cover, designed by Kyle Lambert, who is known for his work on Stranger Things, pays homage to 1980s aesthetics, with a retro-futuristic style that reflects the album's themes. The "Super Deluxe" edition of the album features an alternative cover created by Paul Shipper, who had previously designed posters for films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Avengers: Infinity War. The artwork mirrors the stylized arrangement of characters seen in Shipper's other works.
Simulation Theory was supported by a series of singles, including "Dig Down," "Thought Contagion," "Something Human," "The Dark Side," and "Pressure," alongside a North American festival tour in 2018. The album was released in various formats, including deluxe editions with alternate versions of tracks. It topped the UK Albums Chart, making it the band’s sixth consecutive No. 1 album. In 2019, the band toured North America, Europe, and South America in support of the album, and a film based on the album and its tour, Muse – Simulation Theory, was released in August 2020. As of November 2022, the album had sold over one million copies worldwide.
