Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons

"I'm sorry for everything I have done." That's the lyric which opens rock's latest giants, Imagine Dragons' second album. It feels like a bit of an odd apology seeing as, thus far, this band can't set a foot wrong. However, after listening to all 50 minutes of Smoke + Mirrors you find yourself taking that apology rather seriously.

Smoke + Mirrors, you see, is an experiment of sounds. Where 2012's Night Visions saw Imagine Dragons put out sure-fire anthems and festival favourites, this second offering really doesn't. Shots feels like it belongs in the past and Gold is a try hard anthem creating something which sounds like a second-rate Muse. Title track Smoke And Mirrors leaves a lot to be desired as it lulls it's way to an anti-climax. But then there's I'm So Sorry, Friction and Trouble which just about restore faith in the listener, boasting heavy bass and grizzly guitars. And to some extent this continues in the singalong sections of I Bet My Life. But 10 good minutes out of 50 doesn't make you want to listen to this album time and time again. Imagine Dragons deserve praise however. Although this album is largely boring, they have been brave and have created a sound which isn't the same as everyone else's. It's fresh and it's intriguing but will it be a fan favourite? It's highly unlikely. If you want to enjoy Imagine Dragons, buy Night Visions, but if you're happy with some background music for your spring clean, maybe give Smoke + Mirrors a spin.

Listen to: I'm So Sorry, Friction

5/10