After an intense year of touring and recording, alternative rock band Imagine Dragons has finally dropped its sophomore album, “Smoke + Mirrors.” They have also dropped dates for another U.S. tour, starting June 3.
Imagine Dragons hit the charts with a bang in 2012, when its first single, “It’s Time,” was released. It has won several awards since, including a Grammy for best rock performance.
Unlike “Night Visions,” this album is a lot more experimental with the instruments and technology used. “Gold” is an over-the-top example of this, with a mash up of different sound effects and instrumental choices that will have your head spinning.
Guitar-heavy “I’m So Sorry” is one of the best songs on the record, bringing the rocky edge the album needed. “I Bet My Life” is the “It’s Time” of the album, an upbeat song that has you singing along.
“Dream” is one of the strongest contenders on the album with a slow, catchy beat and relatable lyrics, like “And all these sorrows that I have seen, they lead me to believe that everything’s a mess.”
“Summer” is one of the more annoying tracks on the album, with a whiny chorus and a high pitched guitar riff in the background. The final track, “The Fall,” is very much like a track off “Night Visions,” which is welcome amidst all the new sounds.
There are aspects the band has expanded on very much, while there could have been more “Night Visions” influence on some of the tracks. Its writing has undoubtedly grown; however, some tracks are too heavy on instruments and you are not sure what to listen to.
Imagine Dragons is still new and are most likely trying to find that happy medium between lyrical and instrumental. When it figures it out, it has the potential to make one of the best albums in the next coming years.
It is a group of extremely talented musicians who know how to please the crowd and have fun. The band knows how to mix its sound. It just needs to mix it in the right way.

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