Pressure (Muse song)

"Pressure" is a song by English rock band Muse. It was released as the fifth single from the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory. The track was released on 27 September 2018, following the release of "The Dark Side", which was released August of that year.

"Pressure"
Single by Muse
from the album Simulation Theory
Released27 September 2018 (2018-09-27)
Genre
Length3:55
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Matt Bellamy
Producer(s)
Muse singles chronology
"The Dark Side"
(2018)		 "Pressure"
(2018)		 "Won't Stand Down"
(2022)

Writing and composition

"Pressure" is a power pop and pop rock song with contrasting horns and guitars, reminiscent of nerd rock.[1][2][3] The song features several interchanging riffs.[4] Prior to the release of the single, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy expressed that the single would be a "straight Muse rock track"[1] and return to the band's "classic" sound, following the release of "Something Human".[5][6] Radio.com described the single as a "dark song exploring a mind trapped by expectations."[5]

Bellamy had a demo of the song which included him playing the guitar and it was suggested by drummer Dominic Howard to perform some of the riffs with brass instruments.[7] After viewing a video of the UCLA Bruin Marching Band perform a Muse tribute halftime show, the band recorded an alternative version that prominently features the school marching band.[7][8] This version was included in the deluxe versions of the album.

Music video

Similarly to the music videos of previous singles from the album, the video continues to include 1980's pop culture references.[2][4] It was directed by Lance Drake and stars the band performing as "Rocket Baby Dolls" (Muse's original band name) at a homecoming dance akin to a scene from Back to the Future,[1] and Terry Crews as a chaperone who uses a Ghostbusters-esque proton pack to subdue an outbreak of gremlin-like creatures made by Eric Fox at Morbx FX Lab.[2][9] Critics also identified homages to Critters, the work of John Hughes, Footloose, The Breakfast Club, and Stranger Things.[2][4][9][10] The vampric creatures that the corpses transform into at the end of the video resemble the Haemovores from the 1989 Doctor Who serial The Curse of Fenric.

Charts

References
  1. Trendell, Andrew (27 September 2018). "Muse go 'back to the future' in new video for their 'straight rock single' 'Pressure'". NME. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018. "It's more like a straight Muse rock track," Bellamy told Radio X. "It's like a different riff every 10 seconds, basically." [...] the scene shifts to a high school prom – seemingly recreating the prom scene in Back To The Future, with Muse assuming the role of the band and the frontman appearing to be dressed as Marty McFly.
  2. Worthington, Clint (28 September 2018). "Muse premiere new single "Pressure" and Terry Crews-starring video: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018. ...driving power chords, catchy hooks, pure wall-of-sound nerd rock. The addition of horns to the song's central riff [...] the song's power-pop sensibilities. [...] is a big, silly, over-the-top '80s throwback, featuring everything from a John Hughes-y school dance to Terry Crews zapping gremlins with a Ghostbuster-like proton pack.
  3. Beaumont, Mark. "Muse: Simulation Theory album review". Classic Rock. Retrieved 9 March 2019. So Simulation Theory treads a thin line between cheesy chart-chasing [...] and genuinely innovative pop rock: Pressure is a fantastic, hyperactive Supermassive Black Hole [...]
  4. Marina, Pedrosa (27 September 2018). "Muse Goes Back to the '80s for Sci-Fi 'Pressure' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018. ...their new '80s high school homecoming-meets-Stranger Things music video for "Pressure," [...] The multiple-riff, guitar-heavy tune features some impressive melodic arrangements and a full-bodied vocal attack by frontman Matt Bellamy.
  5. Timmerberg, Tiana. "Muse Tease "Pressure" Release: Exclusive Details". Radio.com. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. "Muse Shares "Pressure" Video with Terry Crews as Zombie-Fighting Principal". Radio.com. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  7. "Muse Members Talk About Staying Relevant as an Actual Rock Band, Not a 'Simulation'". Variety. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  8. "Golden opportunity for UCLA Bruin Marching Band: performing with Muse in song on new album". UCLA Newsroom. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  9. Grow, Kory (27 September 2018). "See Muse Play High School Dance Gone Wrong In New 'Pressure' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018. ...and a chaperone, Terry Crews. When two students ride their bikes into the science lab, things go horribly wrong with a sequence that owes a debt to sci-fi movies like Critters.
  10. Sullivan, Kelsey. "Muse's "Pressure" Music Video is an Ode to '80s Movies". Soundigest. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  11. "Muse – Pressure" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  12. "Muse – Pressure" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  13. "Muse Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  14. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés + Streaming – SNEP (Week 46, 2018)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  15. "Netherlands Single Tip Chart – 17/11/2018". MegaCharts. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  16. "Portuguesecharts.com - Portuguese Charts - Singles - 46.46.2018". Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  18. "Muse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  19. "Muse Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  20. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  21. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
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