Simulation Theory
by Muse
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 240 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 163 out of 240
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 240
  3. Negative: 36 out of 240
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  1. DavidWasHere
    Nov 9, 2018
    4
    So I have a three album rule for bands and artists that start to slip up. One bad album, no problem. Two bad albums, concern. Three bad albums, swear off being a fan of the band and just stick with the records that I like. Muse has gotten to that point in their career. While I will admit to getting into the Muse game a bit late, it's not like their music was never a part of my life. TheSo I have a three album rule for bands and artists that start to slip up. One bad album, no problem. Two bad albums, concern. Three bad albums, swear off being a fan of the band and just stick with the records that I like. Muse has gotten to that point in their career. While I will admit to getting into the Muse game a bit late, it's not like their music was never a part of my life. The Guitar Hero and Rock Band games have been huge in my musical evolution, and I really enjoy albums like Absolution and Black Holes. Sure they aren't masterpieces, but they are fun in a Queen sense. Hell I even like the Resistance! However ever since the 2nd Law, which isn't terrible but very inconsistent, I haven't enjoyed a Muse album since. Drones was just an embarrassing attempt at making a rock opera, and Simulation Theory isn't as bad as Drones, it certainly made me lose faith in the band making good music. While the first three tracks aren't too bad, they feel like some weaker moments from the Resistance, but I was on board. Then the album takes a hard shift on track 4 when they went for an electro-R&B vibe and the album just lost me! They might have some success in making a decent R&B and funk track in the past, like with Undisclosed Desires and Panic Station, tracks like Dig Down, Propoganda, and Break It to Me just do not work as dance tracks, often being too chunky and choppy with the grooves and rhythm, and the production, while polished sure, often feel either too overproduced with bombast. Other than that most of the rock songs here are just either forgettable or boarder on Imagine Dragon type sterile rock. The only song I like from here is Blockades. Other than that, I probably won't return to this album in the future. It's a shame that Muse has lost what they did well, make bombastic prog-rock in the style of Queen. The trio still has it with their instrumentation and playing, they are a highly skilled band, but they just feel more like riding trends in rock when they could have just played to their guns. I'm not sure sellout is the right term, they haven't gone full imagine Dragons, but at the same time the old spark isn't there anymore.… Expand
  2. Gabrielb24
    Aug 31, 2022
    6
    This album feels weak. I like retro 80s feel but come on most of the songs are forgettable. I like Algorithm, Pressure and The Dark Side but that is it. Break it to me sounds like a bad RATM song. Something human, thought contagion and stand up and fight sounds bland. Dig Down sounds like a bad gospel song. I think this worst album Muse ever did.
  3. Gamesearcher1
    Aug 29, 2019
    4
    It’s not as bad as it could be, and I can at least thank Muse for at least adding soft padding to their plane crash. I must say, whoever created the cover was extremely talented because the cover tells you exactly what to expect from this album. Most of the songs are just pretty boring, honestly. There is an overuse of electronica, but there’s nothing you can spit at and call absolutelyIt’s not as bad as it could be, and I can at least thank Muse for at least adding soft padding to their plane crash. I must say, whoever created the cover was extremely talented because the cover tells you exactly what to expect from this album. Most of the songs are just pretty boring, honestly. There is an overuse of electronica, but there’s nothing you can spit at and call absolutely atrocious. I did find myself enjoying the moments that strayed into a poppier territory, though.
    Favourites: Pressure, Thought Contagion
    Least Favourites: Dig Down, Propaganda, Break it To Me    … Expand
  4. lindsaylove
    Nov 12, 2018
    6
    I wanted very much to love this album. Being a huge fan of Muse, I was fully prepared to- but unfortunately this was just...meh? Having already heard a large majority of the songs already (they were released as singles weeks/months ago), only a handful of the songs were new. Algorithm gave me the false hope that I was in for a treat- it feels very Blade Runner-esque and was, I thought,I wanted very much to love this album. Being a huge fan of Muse, I was fully prepared to- but unfortunately this was just...meh? Having already heard a large majority of the songs already (they were released as singles weeks/months ago), only a handful of the songs were new. Algorithm gave me the false hope that I was in for a treat- it feels very Blade Runner-esque and was, I thought, setting the tone for the entire album. It wasn't. Break it To Me, Get Up and Fight, and Blockades are particularly bad. I don't have any qualms with Muse doing whatever they want with this new sound. I do lament their older stuff, however- even as recently as 2nd Law. Simulation Theory is a Hard pass.… Expand
  5. spenceryang8
    Feb 4, 2019
    5
    Muse's foray into '80s retro-futurism, while at times uninspired and gaudy even by the band's standards, has resulted in their most palatable album this decade.

    FAV TRACKS: PRESSURE, PROPAGANDA, BREAK IT TO ME, SOMETHING HUMAN

    LEAST FAV TRACK: BLOCKADES
  6. Matheusfrs
    Nov 22, 2019
    4
    Esperava mais desse álbum. O Muse não conseguiu entregar um resultado satisfatório, ficou perdido no meo de tanta influência dos anos 80. Algumas faixas são bizarras.
  7. TDaniel
    May 6, 2020
    6
    Muse make a decent return with Simulation Theory, though both thematically and musically if feels like a bad continuation of the fantastic Drones album. The album as a whole is interesting enough to appreciate. However, the album suffers from the lack of hits. Arguably only The Dark Side is one to put in your uncomplicated rock hits playlists. However, Muse fans that have appreciatedMuse make a decent return with Simulation Theory, though both thematically and musically if feels like a bad continuation of the fantastic Drones album. The album as a whole is interesting enough to appreciate. However, the album suffers from the lack of hits. Arguably only The Dark Side is one to put in your uncomplicated rock hits playlists. However, Muse fans that have appreciated everything since The Resistance will also appreciate Simulation Theory just as much as its predecessors.… Expand
  8. NicolasLock
    Feb 15, 2021
    4
    don't get me wrong. im a great muse fan. but this just doesn't hit me as much as their older stuff. i feel like what was the essence of muse is vanishing over the years

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Pitchfork
    Nov 15, 2018
    60
    This is a band that has given up on trying to look cool to most anyone, so Muse do here what they have always done and likely will always do—throw money at their latest fancy with the indiscriminate, earnest taste of a teenage boy. ... If there’s anything Muse truly nail here, it’s at last embracing just the right amount of camp.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    Nov 14, 2018
    40
    There’s obviously still an audience for Muse, given by the size of the venues they still sell out, and this will definitely please the die-hards, but most of Simulation Theory simply fizzles out without leaving much of an impression.
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  3. The 405
    Nov 12, 2018
    40
    It is like Prince meets The Allman Brothers Band, on an approximate dosage of 40–50ug of acid. ... And that makes it a certified...
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