Muse Launch New Album ‘The Wow! Signal’ with Space Tablet Stunt

British rock band Muse announced their tenth studio album, The Wow! Signal, with a publicity stunt that sent a tablet containing the music video for their recent single, “Be With You,” over 20 miles into the Earth’s atmosphere. The launch, conducted in partnership with Sent Into Space, accompanied the album’s unveiling on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

The album, slated for release on June 26 via Warner, draws its name and thematic inspiration from the “Wow! signal,” a strong narrowband radio signal detected in 1977 by the Substantial Ear radio telescope in Ohio. The signal, originating from the Sagittarius constellation, lasted 72 seconds and remains unexplained, leading to speculation about an extraterrestrial source. Astronomer Jerry Ehman famously circled the signal’s reading, “6EQUJ5,” and wrote “Wow!” beside it, cementing its place in scientific lore.

Muse’s new album expands on this cosmic mystery, with a press release describing it as “a mix of cosmic mystery, existential hope and the exhilarating possibility of contact with something far greater than ourselves.” The band, known for incorporating science fiction and technological themes into their work, follows up their 2022 album, Will of the People, with this ambitious project.

The Wow! Signal features ten tracks, including the previously released single “Unravelling.” The full tracklist is as follows: “The Dark Forest,” “Nightshift Superstar,” “Shimmering Scars,” “Cryogen,” “Be With You,” “Hexagons,” “The Sickness in You & I,” “Unravelling,” “Hush,” and “Space Debris.” The premiere of “Be With You” coincided with the atmospheric launch, offering fans a first listen to the album’s sound.

The band’s interest in the unexplained signal aligns with a long history of exploring complex themes in their music. As reported by Pitchfork, Muse has consistently blended rock instrumentation with electronic and orchestral elements, often touching on dystopian and futuristic concepts.

The album’s release date leaves open questions about further promotional events and whether Muse will continue to integrate space-themed elements into their rollout. Warner Records has not yet commented on plans beyond the initial launch and single release.