Smoke + Mirrors (said as "Smoke and Mirrors") is Imagine Dragons' second studio album, the follow-up to 2012's Night Visions, which had their mega-hit Radioactive, along with a bunch of radio-friendly singles.
The new album name could be a nod to their Las Vegas home, famous for its magic shows, and also home to the Killers, whose sound is of a similar pop-rock bent. In fact, Trouble could easily be a song by Brandon Flowers and co. It's a rollicking track, full of the band's signature sense of fun.
But the stand-out is lead single I Bet My Life -- basically this album's On Top of the World. Its top-of-your-lungs chorus is surely a concert favourite.
Follow-up single Gold is a jerky, stomping powerhouse of a song -- not as catchy as Radioactive but in a similar vein, while album opener Shots is a tasty slice of high-pitched synth-pop.
Be under no illusion, Smoke + Mirrors is worth a listen.
