The 2nd Law is the sixth studio album by the English band Muse, released throughout most of the world on 28 September 2012, and elsewhere on 2 October 2012.
The name "The 2nd Law" references the second law of thermodynamics which is quoted in the track "Unsustainable" as follows:
All natural and technological processes proceed in such a way that the availability of the remaining energy decreases. In all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves an isolated system, the entropy of that system increases. Energy continuously flows from being concentrated, to becoming dispersed, spread out, wasted, and useless. New energy cannot be created and high-grade energy is being destroyed. An economy based on endless growth is unsustainable.
"Madness", according to NME, features influences which draw from Queen's "I want to break free" and David Bowie's Scary monsters and super creeps album. Frontman Matt Bellamy has stated that dubstep producer Skrillex was an influence when writing one of the final two tracks on the album – "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable". He also stated that the song "Follow Me" was written about his newborn son, Bingham Bellamy. "Panic Station" features musicians who performed on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition".
2. "Madness" 4:39
3. "Panic Station" 3:03
4. "Prelude" 0:57
5. "Survival" 4:17
6. "Follow Me" 3:51
7. "Animals" 4:23
8. "Explorers" 5:48
9. "Big Freeze" 4:41
10. "Save Me" 5:09
11. "Liquid State" 3:03
12. "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable" 3:47
13. "The 2nd Law: Isolated System" 4:59
