Since the release of their debut album Night Visions, fans have been patiently waiting for the release of Imagine Dragons’ second album, Smoke + Mirrors. With few singles being released before the release of the final album, the album was highly anticipated. Featuring singles like “I Bet My Life” and “Shots,” the band’s second album was sure to be another success, and after its release, fans weren’t disappointed with what they were given.

With a good combination of their familiar musical style and a mixture of new sounds, this album is very unique. Songs such as “Trouble” bring back the Imagine Dragons that people first fell in love with back in 2012. A fast tempo, catchy and happy sounding song, “Trouble” really brings out all of the Imagine Dragons trademarks. This song, along with “Shots,” “Gold” and “Summer” really brings together all the things you’d expect from the group.

Along with all the classic sounds the group provides with the new album, they also add a wide variety of new sounds. Songs like “Friction” in particular really bring out a new sound that group may have previously not have been known for, but they pull it off marvelously. With a heavy influence from many Middle Eastern musical styles, the group is able to fuse that with their more original sound and make it something new. Another song that somewhat strays from the group’s usual sound is “I’m So Sorry.” This song has more hard rock roots that haven’t really been explored by the band. The song’s heavy guitar riff, mixed with pounding bass drum and loud memorable vocals, really show that the group isn’t afraid to venture from the their usual sound and always do a good job when they do. Smoke + Mirrors should be a big success with true fans of the band and even reach out to people who may have not been big fans of the band with their first album.