In a full-circle moment that spans more than two decades, Ellie Goulding has joined forces with alternative rock titans Muse on their new album, The Wow! Signal. The collaboration, a track titled “Hush,” is being described in a press release as “a last desperate grasp for connection between two souls in the midst of an apocalyptic event.”
‘Plug In Baby’ Dreams Come True
Goulding, who rose to fame with her own brand of ethereal pop, has been a Muse fan since the early 2000s. Sharing the news on her Instagram Story, she wrote: “Back around 2002 I remember spending hours making my Nokia ringtone the guitar riff on ‘Plug in Baby’ by Muse. Today I have a song with [Muse]. I am insanely grateful for my life and my weird voice.”
The sentiment has resonated deeply with fans, many of whom have long noted the singer's appreciation for the band’s theatrical, space-rock sound. “Hush” slots into The Wow! Signal as a rare vocal duet, blending Goulding’s soaring soprano with Matt Bellamy’s characteristic falsetto and orchestral guitars.
A Full Album of Cosmic Rock
The Wow! Signal also includes previously released singles “Be with You” and “Unravelling,” both of which continue Muse’s exploration of expansive, synth-laden rock. The album arrives as the band prepares to launch a U.S. tour, kicking off July 2 at the Milwaukee Summerfest.
For Goulding, the partnership is a career highlight that taps directly into her musical roots. “I am insanely grateful for my life and my weird voice,” she added, thanking the band for the opportunity.
Beyond the Studio: A Voice for Change
Outside the recording studio, Goulding has also used her platform for social advocacy. She is among the high-profile supporters of a petition demanding a national public inquiry into the death of baby Preston Davey. The petition, which has gathered more than 87,000 signatures, calls for a closer look at safeguarding failures surrounding the child’s murder. Goulding joins campaigners like Carrie Johnson and Coronation Street star Nicola Thorp in backing the call for justice.
The juxtaposition of her artistic highs with her social activism highlights a busy season for the singer. While her collaboration with Muse marks a dream project, her willingness to lend her name to causes offstage underscores her commitment to using her influence for broader societal impact.
What’s Next for Goulding?
With ‘Hush’ now streaming as part of The Wow! Signal, fans are speculating whether this collaboration signals a more rock-oriented direction for Goulding’s own upcoming music. For now, the song stands as a testament to the power of fandom turned into professional partnership—an interstellar meeting of pop and prog rock that feels both unexpected and perfectly timed.
Muse’s The Wow! Signal is available now on all platforms.
