Muse is an unpredictable album that moves between relationship drama, humor, and uncomfortable truths.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. Are You Ok?

“Are You Ok?” is about a relationship where things don’t feel aligned, like the two people involved are on completely different pages. There are constant arguments that seem one-sided, and while one person recognizes the need for things to change, the other either doesn’t see the need or doesn’t have the desire to do anything about it.

It leaves the singer wondering what is being hidden and what is going on in his partner’s head. That uncertainty can be just as painful as an outright argument, because you’re left trying to make sense of someone who isn’t giving you much to work with. The song captures that frustration of wanting to fix something while questioning whether you’re the only person still trying.

4. Next Time

In “Next Time,” John is wondering whether a relationship could have worked out or ended differently. Things are messy now, but he still finds himself caring for and desiring this person. He promises the person he’s singing to that they’re going to get it right next time, as if there’s still a future ahead for them.

There’s something bittersweet about that kind of hope, especially when things have already gone wrong. Sometimes, you know a relationship has problems, but the feelings are still there, and you can’t help imagining what might happen if both people approached things differently. John captures that longing for another chance, balancing regret with the belief that maybe, just maybe, the story isn’t over yet.

3. Pray For Ya

“Pray For Ya” has a really dramatic start, but to be honest, this song is so funny. Once the beat dropped, I was full stop like, “Ayeeee okay!” The track is about a girl who is dangerously attractive, so much so that it should be a crime. And she knows it, too, which is exactly why she’s for the streets.

John is out here watching her and praying for her well-being while she’s out here living her life, and it’s so funny. There’s something hilarious about the contrast between his dramatic concern and the fact that this woman clearly has absolutely no intention of settling down.

The production gives the song plenty of swagger, too, making it feel playful and cheeky rather than genuinely heartbroken. John, baby, you can pray for her all you want, but I don’t think she’s listening.

2. Fireflies

“Fireflies” is a single from Muse, and it hits hard. This broody, jazzy track speaks of pain, poverty, and injustice, reminiscing on childhood struggles in particular. John tells a story of fireflies in the sky surrounding something much more cynical, showcasing the flickers of beauty and the world still turning when there’s actual tragedy going on.

The contrast is what makes this song so powerful. There can be something beautiful happening right in front of us while people are suffering just beyond our field of vision. The world doesn’t stop for tragedy, and sometimes its prettiest moments make the harshest realities even more difficult to ignore.

The track makes me feel like I’ve gotten cold water thrown in my face every time I hear it. It’s such a stark hit of reality, and the jazzy production only adds to that haunting feeling.

1. Under The Bridge

“Under The Bridge” has such a funky beat, and it’s really addicting. But despite the immediate urge to shake my azz, listening to the lyrics low-key dampened the mood. The track feels like a continuation of “Are You Ok?,” delving deeper into relationship struggles and imbalances.

John feels like he’s being lied to, but despite his uncertainty, he keeps forgiving his partner and dropping things, even when they bother him. He uses the “water under the bridge” metaphor to explain what’s going on and how he feels. It’s a frustrating cycle, because forgiveness can be a beautiful thing, but constantly letting things slide when you’re still hurting isn’t exactly a recipe for a healthy relationship.

The funky production might have me moving, but these lyrics have me concerned. That bass is doing one thing, and John’s emotional state is doing another.

SONG BY SONG RATING

Muse (4/5)
Pray For Ya (4/5)
Her Introduction (N/A)
Her (4/5)
Daylight (4/5)
Get Back (3.5/5)
Are You Ok? (4/5)
Under The Bridge Introduction (N/A)
Under The Bridge (4.5/5)
Next Time (4/5)
Bodies On The Floor- Taps Intro (N/A)
Bodies On The Floor (4/5)
Doing Me (4/5)
Fireflies (4/5)
Everything (4/5)
Sail Off(4/5)

RGM RATING

John Legend’s Muse is a roller coaster of feelings, and I was clutching the seat’s safety bar the entire ride.

Muse blends jazz, pop, singer-songwriter, hip-hop, and R&B influences into this whimsy concoction that can only be John Legend. The tracklist dives deep into relationship struggles and triumphs, worldly issues, and self-reflection. We get everything from playful songs about dangerously attractive women to vulnerable moments of uncertainty, forgiveness, and regret. And just when you think you’ve settled into one emotional space, the album pulls you somewhere else entirely.

Every track has a distinct sound and a different vibe. Some tracks are funny, lighthearted, and fun, while others are painful and emotional, but they all come together in a beautiful way. Pharrell’s production shines on many of these tracks, bringing funky rhythms, unexpected textures, and an eclectic sonic identity to the project. Meanwhile, John’s voice ties everything together, guiding us through each story with the kind of warmth and emotional clarity that makes his music so easy to connect with.

One of the most interesting things about this album is how often the production and subject matter contrast with each other. You can find yourself wanting to dance before realizing that the lyrics are actually describing a relationship falling apart. Other moments, like “Fireflies,” pull you out of that comfortable listening experience altogether and force you to sit with some uncomfortable realities. That variety keeps the album from becoming predictable, even when it moves between such different themes.

Overall, this was a really unique, cool album to listen to. Muse has humor, heart, funky production, and plenty of emotional depth. It isn’t afraid to get messy, whether that’s through complicated relationships or the uncomfortable truths of the world around us. Pharrell and John make an interesting pairing here, and the result is an album that feels colorful, unpredictable, and unmistakably its own thing.

Ileyah

Ileyah is a mom, a writer and a musician. She loves late nights and gluten free snacks.