"The 2nd Law" is the sixth studio album by Muse, released on October 01, 2012. The album marks a notable shift in the band’s sound, blending their established alternative rock style with elements of art rock, progressive rock, and electronic music. It was recorded in various studios across London and Los Angeles from October 2011 to August 2012, and is the band’s second self-produced album, following The Resistance.
Lyrically, The 2nd Law explores themes of societal collapse, totalitarianism, and the concept of entropy, referencing the second law of thermodynamics. The album's cover features a map of the human brain’s pathways, drawn from the Human Connectome Project, emphasizing its conceptual nature.
Key singles from the album include "Survival," which served as the official song for the 2012 Summer Olympics, "Madness," which topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 19 weeks, and "Supremacy," which opened the 2013 Brit Awards. The track "The 2nd Law: Isolated System" was also featured in the movie World War Z.
The album received positive reviews and commercial success, reaching the top ten in 31 countries and hitting number one in 13. It was certified platinum in several countries and earned nominations at the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song. As of 2018, The 2nd Law has sold over 2.3 million copies worldwide.
The 2nd Law was primarily recorded at AIR Studios in London and EastWest Studios in Los Angeles, with additional sessions at Shangri La Studios and Capitol Studios. The recording process began in late 2011, with bassist Chris Wolstenholme mentioning plans to start in September or October of that year.
Frontman Matt Bellamy humorously described the album's genre as a "Christian gangsta rap jazz odyssey, with some ambient rebellious dubstep and face-melting metal flamenco cowboy psychedelia," showcasing the band's willingness to experiment with a wide array of musical influences. Wolstenholme noted that this album felt like a turning point for the band, suggesting they were "drawing a line under a certain period" of their career.
The inclusion of electronic elements was a significant shift, inspired by artists like Justice and Does It Offend You, Yeah? The band collaborated with composer David Campbell, which contributed to the album's rich and diverse soundscapes. This ambitious approach to both songwriting and production set The 2nd Law apart from their previous work.
