Imagine Dragons are nothing if not productive. Since their first album back in 2012, they have released a whopping 69 songs spanning over four albums, and let's not forget the number of singles they've produced on the side with artists like Kygo and Lil Wayne. The American quartet, most known for their creation of Radioactive, the angry anthem for multiple angsty teens across the globe, have just dropped their latest album, Origins, featuring an impressive 15 songs. Compared with previous albums, however, Origins is 80% about love, which is uncharted territory for the band, and it' s certainly interesting to hear how a 'rock' band have chosen to portray the subject which has set Taylor Swift up for life. So without further ado, here are all of the tracks summed up in just thee lines.
Natural: A great frontrunner for the album with the classic electronic-boom sound. It exhibits strong vocals from Reynolds showing how amazing it would be live. The fiery undertones resemble hits from their second album Smoke and Mirrors which highlights just how good it would be to belt out in the shower after a tough day.
Boomerang: A more relaxed and nostalgic vibe compared to Natural. The tune features some fancy echo-like vocals making it the perfect piece of ear candy. So far, a great start to the album!
Machine: From the get-go, Machine is a tune sure to get you pumped for that big event. It's definitely one of Imagine Dragons' most energetic songs featured on the album and I can see why they released it as a single. The rebellious lyrics "I'm not scared of what you're gonna tell me / And I'm not scared of the beast in the belly" takes me back to their Smoke and Mirrors era again.
Cool Out: As peaceful as a song can be from a group who claim to be a rock band. A slightly above average track which might need another couple of listens to fully cement itself in your heart. Lyrically, it's pretty basic but sometimes simple reigns supreme, and Cool Out it a good example.
Bad Liar: Along with Natural, Bad Liar is one of the songs which encompasses the classic Imagine Dragons sound. It's a slightly above average track but could have been amazing if the base drop was bigger, better and more OTT. If one thing is certain, it will highlight how bad you are at singing if you're brave enough to attempt it.
West Coast: The song seems like a distant cousin of those produced by Of Monsters and Men, The Lumineers or Freedom Fry (listen to Shakey Ground and tell me I'm wrong, I dare you). West Coast is as acoustic as it gets for Imagine Dragons. A light and joyous track which is a great contrast to the rest of the album and takes you back to similar vibes of On Top Of The World.
Zero: This song will enter through one ear and refuse to leave out the other until it's been flying around for head for at least a week. A fun yet gimmicky tune but what can you expect from a single used for the Ralph Breaks the Internet soundtrack. 10 out of 10 for catchiness and 10 out of 10 for brilliance.
Bullet in a Gun: Arguably the last great song of the album. The unpredictable and glitchy electronic tremors work surprisingly well. Reynolds' raspy vocals teamed up with the funky backing track produced by the rest of the team earns its place on the album.
Digital: I can only compare this song to marmite. I don't like marmite. The heavy EDM outbursts make it seem as though Digital was produced for the band just to let off steam.
Only: Okay, I take it back, this is arguably the last great song on the album. Potentially another distant relative to every Chainsmokers song that has ever been made. I don't think I have anything bad to say about the track.
Struck: An innocent sound compared to the songs that have come before it. Reynolds' flaunts his vocal ability when reaching the high-pitch notes, a talent in which I wish he would show off more. A unique but successful approach for a track which could have quickly become a soppy love song.
Love: Oh look, another love song. A slower tempo with less noise makes for a more relaxing listen. Features a great verse at 1:30 to mix up the sound and compliments the meaning behind the track.
The three extra songs for all you lucky deluxe listeners:
Birds: A beautiful ballad-esque tune which is accompanied by the most heartfelt lyrics on the album “I know that birds fly in different directions”. Not having the song on the regular album is a crime; I say swap it for Digital. Reynolds' soaring choruses are a prefectly wrapped present for your ears.
Burn Out: It's a decent song. The cut-up intro, featuring what sounds like the noise of jingling coins (probably symbolic for how much money they've made), shows just how skilled and innovative Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, and Platzman are. A gentle approach to a rock-pop song.
Real Life: Another okay song but it doesn’t make me rush to play it first on the album. The music is empowering and could find home within a Disney movie soundtrack (maybe the Lion King?). 10 out of 10 for lyrical genius, “Prayers on her knees as the towers fall / to a god she does not know.”
Overall, it's a good album and there's no doubt about it, I simply don't understand why it's gotten so much stick. However, when you start your career with an absolute powerhouse like Radioactive and continue to produce equally amazing follow-ups, the first time you may not have nailed it will amplified. Individually, the majority of the songs are amazing such as Natural, Machine, Only, Cool Out (I could go on), but as an album, they're just not the perfect jigsaw pieces which I imagine the Dragons hoped they would be.
Verdict:
Song I'll have on repeat: Machine
Song I'll make sure to forget: Digital
Rating: A happy 7 out of 10
Listen to Origins on Spotify below and make sure to hit the refresh button if it doesn't show up!