Imagine Dragons recently released a new album titled Smoke + Mirrors containing thirteen diverse tracks. The album kicks off with “Shots”, which is basically a textbook Alternative style song and, in my opinion, it wasn’t the strongest thing to start off with. But then the album proceeds to get better and better as you listen. Some of the stand-out songs are “Gold”, “I’m So Sorry”, “Polaroid”, “Dream”, and “Hopeless Opus”.

Gold starts with an array of whistles and drum beats giving it a primal feel, but overall the song is catchy and the lyrics are definitely unique, as they basically allude to King Midas in a modern day sense. Many of the songs appear to come in couplets when it comes to their style. “I’m So Sorry” followed by “I Bet My Life” are both alternative rock and are full of energy. Then there’s “Polariod” and “Friction” which are catchy but both have qualities that seem new to Imagine Dragons. “Polariod” is simplistic and is entirely in a lower octave than most of their songs and “Friction” has synthesized voices throughout the song and has a heavier sound. “Hopeless Opus” and “Summer” have more alternative pop qualities to them and are songs you could sing along to. “Dream” is a slower and quieter song that is ideal to fall asleep to. The entire album finished with “The Fall”, it’s the perfect up beat song to wrap up this compilation.

I believe with this album the group was trying to go for a new unique sound, which they succeeded in. They managed to have a diverse group of songs, covering almost every style in the Alternative genre, neatly wrapped up in a fifty minute set.