Muse were apparently asked by their record company to release a greatest hits compilation, but refused, instead promising that their ninth album would showcase every aspect of the three-piece’s sound.

They’ve largely succeeded, as Will Of The People veers from the kind of overblown prog rock they’ve made a career from (‘Kill Or Be Killed’, ‘Euphoria’); through synth pop (‘Compliance’) and U2-ish stadium rock (‘Verona’) to torch balladry in the shape of ‘Ghosts (How Can I Move On)’, which frontman Matt Bellamy has compared, not unfairly, to Adele.

The meaty rifferama of ‘Won’t Stand Down’ sounds like Faith No More covering Queen, which weirdly works. Less effective is the cheesy electro-goth of ‘You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween’, which resembles a less than efficacious cover of a Prince b-side.

The album starts and ends brilliantly. The opening title-track is as catchy as a cold, as Muse do their finest Queen impression for a ridiculously addictive ditty that screams ‘fun’, not often an adjective used in the same sentence as Muse. Bellamy’s rockers generally take their work very seriously. The closing, hilariously-titled ‘We Are Fucking Fucked’ is similarly madcap and effective.

While it’s a little disjointed in places, Will Of The People sees Muse display a welcome willingness to be a little more playful. That, as they say, is the spirit...

7/10