Assimilation Theory – Muse mashup album

Billed as the ‘ultimate Muse mashup album’ Assimilation Theory has just been released – mostly around Muse’s last synthwave album Simulation Theory, but a bonus disc also includes a variety of Muse tracks across the ages that were previously released – many though I’d not heard before. Organised by Radio Clash regular Dunproofin, it’s a good example of how to do an artist mashup album in 2021 – and I suspect Bootie’s upcoming mashup Patreon stash will have a fair bit of these. 😉

Mashup artists include:

Titus Jones (whose AI/algorythm based mashup with Destiny’s Child. Nirvana and The Killers is one of my favourites and it a deep cut with a message – many mashup artists are indeed trying to survive the algorhithm, as well as more darker concerns), And his glam stomper on the bonus album with Britney, Foreigner & Carrie Underwood is *whispers* a keeper.

Generally I reacted more to the darker cuts, maybe reading about the Summerland fire which I am obsessed with at the same time will do that?

ToTom – love his remastered bonus cut of Beastie Boys vs Clash vs Muse, again a player, as is his previously released Bowie vs Vitalic which foreshadows their synthwave interest, Maybe they were listening? And his mash proves that Billie Eilish works well with Muse, again the darkness synchronises in almost the reverse way to the later Gaga mashes (Matt Bellamy having both ranges, really)

DJ Y Alias JY which his moody Massive Attack’s Atlas Air vs Muse – Dark Side is a keeper/player. Interesting how the videos share a lot in common, separated by nearly a decade. And not the old Massive Attack vs Muse mashup on the album – Teardrop makes

Dunproofin – of course – and as well as Break It To Me – the video above with a cast of millions – Muse vs Busta Rhymes, Clash, Killing Joke, Jan Hammer, C&C Music Factory, Beastie Boys & Saint Etienne it sez here – but also his moodier Pixies vs Muse that closes out the album, and given I have spent a lot of time watching The Story of The Top of the Pops, his bonus Lynott/Ure’s Yellow Pearl vs Muse is very timely! And his classic Supermassive Black Hole is always worth a listen.

HyperZyle with a nice Gaga Pokerface mashup showing that her vocal histrionics mesh well with Muse and Rudec whose Lady Gaga is one is also a keeper, and Rammstein is always nice to hear yet the Surpremes was a surprise though and a keeper also. Other artists include oki and Smashcolor.

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this album, not knowing the last Muse album, and they can be a marmite act – when they are on form – like Supermassive, Plug In Baby or Uprising they can lay claim to be the best stadium band in the world, but they do have some less great tracks in their catalogue. But actually the synthwave and darker deeper and bonus mashups save this from being a purely fan-service project and I think it will appeal to fans and casual fans alike. You will be surprised, and I think I might check out Simulation Theory as a result.

And even better – it’s pay what you want on Bandcamp, and all profits go to the Teenage Cancer Trust, a brilliant charity.

Do you hear that, White Panda?