Review: Imagine Dragons - Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors is the second full-length from Nevada rockers Imagine Dragons. Continuing the genre-bending sound featured on Night Visions, the band aim high with this release and manage to accomplish exactly what they set out to do.
Smoke and Mirrors kicks off with “Shots”. More pop and dance oriented, it’s not a track you’d expect from a bandwith such a notorious rock style. But overall, it’s super catchy, with that catchiness and light-heartedness continuing throughout the release.
“I Bet My Life” is a light-hearted track that shows a more country/folk influence. The first single from the album, it has proven to be very popular amongst many due to its catchy lyrics and toe-tapping melody. Later, we see “Trouble” and “Polaroid”, both of which have similar effects.
The title track, “Smoke and Mirrors”, mixes some rather contradicting ideas. While the majority of the lyrics are focused on vocals alongside a calm, steady beat, there’s also repeatedly sharp changes in tone. It quickly transitions from melodic tones to powerful vocals and dominant guitar riffs. Nevertheless, the song works really well, and while it may not sound like it works, these opposites complement each other nicely and add an element of individuality to the track.
Furthermore, Imagine Dragons continue to display the ability to change their music style through other tracks. “It Comes Back To You” is calmer and more melodic, making it clear that, while the band are able to create massive rock anthems, they can also delve into slower, more pop-based songs. This track, along with “Dreams”, “Polaroid” and “Summer” illustrate this diversity. “Dreams”, in particular, shows how they can balance the two extremes. The verses create a euphoric effect, while the choruses clearly demonstrate great vocal and instrumental skills through more of a rock lens.
That being said, there are some great rock-based tracks on Smoke and Mirrors, including “I’m So Sorry”, “Gold” and “Hopeless Opus”. “I’m So Sorry” is led by drums, whilst infamous Imagine Dragons chant-like lyrics also feature, making it much more familiar to fans. “Gold” showcases a slight adaption and influence from other genres besides rock. It begins with an array of fantastic sounds and noises, as well as elements signature to the band, including guitar riffs and gang vocals.
“Friction” is, in my opinion, the record’s standout track. I fell in love with it within the first few seconds, with the combination of the unique beat and strong vocals creating a grand impression. Both these elements, along with the lyrics and guitar parts, generate an exceptional, in-your-face rock track, one that is sure to become a fan favourite.
Closing out Smoke and Mirrors is “The Fall”. It’s one of the album’s more light-hearted tracks and gives a nice effect. The song’s tone is much more relaxed, which has a pleasant as it acts as a way of slowly fading the album to a close.
Admirably, Imagine Dragons combine and manipulate genres in a way only they can, whilst still maintaining a rock-based structure. On the whole, Smoke and Mirrors is a great album, full of immense lyrics, extraordinary vocals and phenomenal composition, and one every music fan needs in their collection.
Download: Friction
3/5
