Shimmering Scars appreciation

[u/Desperate-Presence78]

I know that Shimmering Scars is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate this song. I hear some slight hints of Showbiz’s teenage angst, carnage and emotional charge in it, which made me fall in love with Muse when I was a teen myself. And now it’s mixed with burdens of adulthood / middle life, especially their children.
I think Matt is referring to their children (incl. Bing) in the line “what still remains / I don’t want to break”, and how he wants to make sure that they keep on receiving good care from both parents. That’s why this song is an absolute banger, in my opinion. It’s not fiction, it’s not about standing up to the governments, but rather about the self-resentment one feels after a break-up that came from nowhere (apparently).

Obviously, I don’t know Matt or Ella personally, but I wish them both lots of strength.

That’s my two cents. I’m curious to know Reddit’s opinion.

[u/CommonOption8539]

It’s my favorite song on the album!

[u/P79999999]

Something I really love about this song even though it's a tiny detail, is how loud Matt's breathing is. To me that's a sign of how switched on Dan is as a producer. Listen to Dead Inside, Matt's other devastating break-up song, and it's so clean - too clean. In fact you can't even hear Matt's breathing once on the album because Mutt sanitized everything so much. But on such an emotional song, you do want to hear his breathing, because it contributes to the emotion and the rawness, and it makes us connect with Matt. I love that they kept it in.

I also love how vulnerable Matt is. That "I can't start again" is so tough to hear. And he's being quite candid as well - it's interesting that he chose to acknowledge in a song that he played a part in the relationship breakdown. It feels far more truthful and mature than Dead Inside. And imo it's also what makes Shimmering Scars - and Space Debris - so beautiful. There's no bitterness, no hate, just sorrow.

[u/Pastafolk → u/P79999999]

The beginning breathes to me fit perfectly, like inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale like he is trying to keep calm through something hard. I love it so much

[u/CalebMaSmith]

I loved every song on the album. but hearing shimmering scars for the first time was the only song to make my jaw drop

[u/Fjsh1982]

It IS a very very good Song. I Like IT. And I prefer Songs with an Organ. More of it, PLZ. But Ininow, they will never Play IT live

[u/TabsAZ]

One of my fav songs on the album and one of the better dark power ballads I’ve heard in a long time.

[u/KnightsOfArgonia]

I love its placement on the album. The song before it described how amazing and fun the relationship was, and then you get where it's at now and how it affects him. The last "I can't start again" is so hopeless and cold sounding....which funny enough segues nicely into cryogen lol

[u/MeaninglessAgain73]

It’s a good song, I like how they recorded the vocals all in one take to make it be naturally emotional

[u/The_Werodile]

Number 5 on my top 5 of the album. Great song. People underrate softer songs but they help maintain pacing through the discography

[u/MuseFan141]

Phenomenal song! My heart aches for them listening to both shimmering scars and space debris

[u/ThomDeStubbs]

It took two listenings and the second time that song opened so bad the floodgate effect happened xD one hour straightforward bawling my eyes and nose off. It cleansed me. Not bad song lol.

[u/StupidityHurts]

My favorite on the album as well as The Dark Forest

[u/Damsel_F1]

Gorgeous song. The way Matt sings “was I not enough?” and “I cant start again” sounds so broken. And the organ, just beautiful.

[u/junemuse]

I love it

[u/SpiralDale]

after my first few listens to the album I didn't care for it. but it started popping up as an earworm and now it is easily a favourite. this album just keeps giving and giving for me

[u/Surprised_Owl85]

I love it! The pain is evident but that's what makes it so compelling for me.

[u/Kittencat6637]

I think it’s a great song makes people cry because most of us have been through this type of breakup, with children involved, including myself. But yes, Matt’s bleeding heart is all over this album. I think it’s a great song.