Two weeks ago I sat in my car listening to the radio as one of Imagine Dragon’s newest singles, “I Bet My Life,” came on the radio. I loved the song from the moment I first heard it; the upbeat rhythm and meaningful lyrics reminded me of “Radioactive,” another chart-topper by Imagine Dragons.

The four-man rock group released their first album “Night Visions” in 2012 and it was a hit. For the next two years, the band worked on their album and released several singles such as “Monster,” “Warriors,” and “Battle Cry.”

The unique rhythms of the band infused with rock instrumentals coupled with lead singer Dan Reynold’s strong and unwavering voice makes their newest album, “Smoke and Mirrors,” a real work of art.

The album cover itself is a tribute to the artistry of the music and the title of the album. The gold bindings of the hands pay tribute to one of the leading singles on the album, “Gold.”

The newest album includes some similar musical style to “Night Visions,” as well as some new rhythmic and stylistic choices.

Songs such as “Gold”, “I Bet My Life”, “Shots”, “Polaroid”, “It Comes Back To You”, and “Dream” play into Imagine Dragons’ unique style featured mainly in their first album. By this I mean Reynold’s impressive variation in pitch, flawless guitar solos, and an exciting and quick build up to the chorus of the song.

I’m very pleased with how the band has continued to evolve its instrumental exploration. While it still features upbeat, catchy rhythms, greater elements of guitar and percussion are emphasized in most of the album. The larger incorporation of the instruments creates an alternative twist to the band’s style, which is well-suited for them.

Following the release of their album, Imagine Dragons will go on a promotional tour across the U.S., coming to Chicago’s Allstate Arena on June 15.

“Smoke and Mirrors” is well worth the two year wait, and I’m excited to see what the band will continue to do over the next several years.

Rating: 5/5 stars