Unravelling
by Muse

Album: released as a single (2025)
Charted: 85
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Unravelling" is a thunderous, synth-drenched return that is Muse's first release since 2022's Will of the People. It's loud, layered, a bit terrifying, and – crucially - very Muse.
  • From the opening moments, "Unravelling" plunges into classic Muse territory: eerie, arpeggiated synths followed immediately by sharp and metallic guitar. This maximalist theatricality is a hallmark of Muse's style; "Unravelling" draws comparisons to their album Will of the People's lead single, "Won't Stand Down."
  • Matt Bellamy narrates a story of two lovers forced to flee together from a shadowy, oppressive force. The threat is characteristically vague, but with Muse, it's usually something like an authoritarian surveillance state, or possibly just late-stage capitalism. As always, the emotional stakes are turned up to 11.
  • Fans have noted the melancholic edge to the song's tone and lyrics, sparking speculation that "Unravelling" might reflect something personal from Bellamy's life. But then again, this is Muse - a band that once wrote an entire album about the Second Law of Thermodynamics. So, themes over autobiography, as usual.
  • On "Unravelling" Matt Bellamy plays an eight-string guitar for the first time, an instrument more commonly found in the metal world.

    Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders, Bellamy said the spark for the song came from his new toy: "It's amazing. It's like having a bass guitar and a guitar at the same time... I literally got the guitar and the first thing I wrote was 'Unravelling.' It just came straight out – boom!"
  • "Unravelling" was written with festival stages in mind, particularly after Muse stepped in as headliners for several metal festivals when Foo Fighters pulled out. It's engineered to shake open-air venues and possibly the ozone layer.
  • Muse debuted "Unravelling" live at the opening show of their European tour on June 12, 2025, at Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki, Finland. It was the first song of the set.
  • Muse co-produced the song with Dan Lancaster, who previously mixed "Won't Stand Down" and performs keyboards and additional guitar in Muse's expanded live band on tour.

    Lancaster has also worked with the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Enter Shikari, and Blink-182.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?