Imagine Dragons burst into the mainstream a few years ago with their debut album Night Visions. This album spawned several radio hits that took Imagine Dragons from an indie rock band to a household name.
Hits like “It’s Time,” “Radioactive,” “Demons,” “Top of the World,” and more were featured on this album.
Their new album, Smoke & Mirrors, has already started to go down the same path, having two singles already become very popular before the album’s release last week.
“I Bet My Life” and “Shots” – which premiered during the Grammy’s – have already seen a lot of commercial success. The greatest thing about this album is probably the constant surprise from song to song. By listening to this album, you can barely put a label on the genre of this incredible band. From hard rock to R&B to Latin flare, this album has it all.
Disclaimer: “Shots” is not what you think it’s about. It’s about admitting when you messed up and reciting a plea for forgiveness. However, its unique melodic style makes it a great first song to start off the album. The title track, “Smoke and Mirrors,” is very similar to something you might hear from John Legend in terms of style. It is a great example of how diverse the sound of Imagine Dragons is.
“I’m So Sorry” is very similar to the style of Fall Out Boy with its heavy distortion and hard rock motives. Nonetheless, it is a great song to rock out to. “I Bet My Life” is a hit for a reason. The song is just incredibly uplifting and hopeful. It’s definitely my favorite song on the record.
It’s impossible not to groove to “It Comes Back to You.” It’s a nice simple song that is really enjoyable to listen to and just bob and take it in.
Lead singer Dan Reynolds takes to the power of his voice to put a whole bunch of emotion into “Dream.” You really feel this one. Another uplifting song to close out the album called “The Fall” is the perfect finish to the sophomore album to a veteran sounding band.
In just a few short years and a couple strong albums, Imagine Dragons has proven themselves to be one of the best new artists out there. They have also shown their incredible ability to create music that pushes boundaries, creating an exceptional example for the bands and artists to come. Smoke & Mirrors is definitely one of the best albums in 2015 so far and their third album should be no different.
