Unravelling (Muse song)
| "Unravelling" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Muse | ||||
| Released | 20 June 2025 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road Studios (London) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Muse singles chronology | ||||
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"Unravelling" is a song by English rock band Muse, released as a single on 20 June 2025. Critics have noted similarities to djent for featuring an eight-string guitar (the first Muse song to do so) as well as combining EDM synths, melodramatic rock opera vocals and progressive metal riffs. Written by frontman Matt Bellamy and Dan Lancaster, the band debuted the song at their recent tour kickoff in Helsinki, Finland, and will take it along on their upcoming run of European festivals.
The band rescheduled a show in Turkey for 2026 with a different promoter, due to a successful boycott on DBL Entertainment, whose owner had denounced protests over the jailing of Istanbul's opposition mayor.[1]
Composition and lyrics
"Unravelling" combines the synths of The 2nd Law and Simulation Theory with the riffing of Origin Of Symmetry, Absolution and Drones, into a heavy metal,[2][3] EDM,[2][4] progressive metal,[2] djent[4] and space rock song with operatic vocals.[5] The band travels "into a darker, djent-ier world" on the track, with an "intense mix of prog metal, metalcore and electronic music," while still sounding like Muse.[2][6] The song starts with "digital hums and tension" before "detonating into a riff-heavy meltdown."[7] Critics have noted similarities to Meshuggah and Sleep Token for featuring an eight-string guitar (the first Muse song to do so) and Lancaster's production.[8]
The song described a failing relationship, with Bellamy using metaphors like "an insect trapped in amber" and "our love is an unlit script no one can memorise." These poetic lines have a sense of loss and confusion. The refrain and chorus build on this by describing a love without direction, a "hymn for our love with no God and no throne, adding an existential dread to the track.[9]
Release
In February 2025, the Muse bassist, Chris Wolstenholme, said Muse would work on new material in the studio in the coming months. He discussed the possibility of a 2026 release for Muse's tenth studio album.[10] In June, before the single's release, Muse released a series of cryptic messages and clips of "Unravelling" on social media platforms.[11]
On 12 June, Muse opened the first show of their 2025 European tour, in Helsinki, Finland, with the debut of "Unravelling".[12][13] The song received its world premiere airing on 19 June at 18:30 BST during Jack Saunders' show on BBC Radio 1, followed by an interview with frontman Matt Bellamy.[14] A day later, the song was released as a digital-only single.[15]
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[16] | 13 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[17] | 34 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[18] | 85 |
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[19] | 9 |
| US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[20] | 31 |
References
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (June 20, 2025). "Muse Return With New Song "Unravelling"". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Grow, Kory (2025-06-20). "Hear Muse Blend EDM and Metal on Melodramatic 'Unravelling'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ D, Antoine (2025-07-02). "Muse au Hellfest 2025 : Hors-sujet ou paris réussi ?". La Grosse Radio (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ a b Astley-Brown, Michael (June 30, 2025). "June 2025 Guitar World Editors' Picks". MSN. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Pilley, Max (June 12, 2025). "Watch Muse debut heavy new single 'Unravelling' as they kick off European tour in Helsinki". NME. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ "Muse lança o single "Unravelling" e antecipa nova fase". 89FM Rock Rádio (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 20, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Jake (13 June 2025). "Watch Muse Play Their Heavy New Song 'Unravelling' in Helsinki". Blunt Magazine. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Weller, Phil (13 June 2025). ""It's time": Matt Bellamy channels his inner Meshuggah with a wild new 8-string Manson model – which has already been put to work on a monstrous new Muse song". Guitar World. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Muse Unravelling Lyrics Meaning Explained". Stay Free. June 22, 2025. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
- ^ Mensah, Jenny (11 February 2025). "Muse's Chris Wolstenholme teases new album in 2026 "barring any disasters"". Radio X. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Skinner, Tom (12 June 2025). ""Back at it" – Muse are teasing new single 'Unravelling'". NME. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Brannigan, Paul (13 June 2025). "Watch Muse premiere new single Unravelling on the opening night of their European tour". LOUDER. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Baldin, Benedetta (15 June 2025). "Muse live premiere a new single titled "Unravelling" – video footage available". Chaoszine. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Radio 1 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "UNRAVELLING - Our new single, out June 20th". X. Muse. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of July 2, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Muse Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2025.