Muse is angry again. On the new album, “Drones”, due out June 8^th, the band retraces its roots back to stripped down anthems against society. Already released for the new album are the singles “Dead Inside” and “Psycho.”

“Psycho” was the first single released and is the better of the two, opening to the soothing sounds of a drill sergeant screaming at one of his troops. A faint trace of their top hit “Uprising” can be heard in lead singer Matt Bellamy’s voice and an echo of early punk rock Green Day can also be heard in the three chord guitar riffs.  Besides the use of a drill sergeant, the harsh and militaristic overall tone of the album is teased with lyrics like “are you a human drone?” and “Your a** belongs to me now.”

The song “Dead Inside” also alludes to the theme of the album, but overall sounds a bit more like the band’s more recent trend toward electric sounds, as heard on the more recent hit, “Madness.” Many critics have been griping about the lack of bells and whistles in the music but the single sounds like a stadium anthem. And that’s where the three man band belongs. Muse is one of the best live bands of this generation and this song will truly rock when played live.

Overall, the sound on the album is less produced, leading to a purer more authentic listening experience. This band is making a strong political statement and the music they are making is strongly supporting it. Muse flourishes when they let out their hard rock angst roots, and this album seems like an attempt to connect with their earlier days.

Don’t forget to check out Muse’s new single “Mercy,” released this Monday, and their album, “Drones” which comes out June 8^th.