
Neither catchy nor memorable, these songs leave listeners confused about the band’s clumsy rock-electronic blend. Similarly, “Dancing in the Dark” and “Yesterday” both signify Imagine Dragons’ ambitious attempts to blend rock with mainstream influences. The following track, “Whatever It Takes,” serves as another example of the band’s clunky songwriting, as lead vocalist Dan Reynolds sings his verses and choruses in an unnatural rap-like rhythm.

The record’s synthy opener “I Don’t Know Why” is bouncy, yet lifeless - with manufactured lyrics such as “I don’t know why but it’s got something to do with you” that strive to bring an awkward mid-tempo song to pop-EDM catchiness. The album comes after the success of Night Visions and Smoke + Mirrors, featuring lead single “Believer.”

Though not quite as impressive as the band’s multi-platinum debut Night Visions, Evolve is a testament to Imagine Dragons’ remarkable capability of transcending genre-based barriers that have kept rock musicians from making it to the top of today’s pop music-dominated charts.Īrguably the band’s most successful single to date, “Radioactive” still holds the all-time record for its 87-week appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the rock band’s third LP Evolve, old sounds are mixed with new influences based on contemporary radio hits.įurther deviating from the band’s rock origins, Evolve is a mish-mash of electronic and pop-tinged anthems that attempt to veer from the emotional detonations that dominated their sophomore record, Smoke + Mirrors.

Imagine Dragons’ new album is by no means revolutionary, but it’s definitely evolutionary.
