Published by Mason Oldridge, 29 June 2022
Alternative rock band Imagine Dragons present the sequel to last year’s Mercury Act 1, 10 years on from when they crash-landed onto the scene with their ground-breaking debut Night Visions.
Act 2 opens with lead single Bones, which is easily one of the best singles of 2022 and the highlight of the album. The track is an instant hit as it blends catchy piano with Reynolds’ harsh vocals on the pre-chorus refrain. Second single Sharks is also very catchy and Blur is a likely third due to the build-up and energy it brings.
The mood often shifts between tracks; Waves is a deeply personal song focusing on the suicide of Reynolds’ friend and the guilt and responsibility he feels for not having been there.
The latter end of the album contains several slower songs; Ferris Wheel is a particularly sweet and romantic tale. Unfortunately, this demonstrates how this second act doesn’t feature any heavier songs like Cutthroat and Dull Knives from the first act.
Despite this, the lengthy 18-track album doesn’t contain any bad songs and sees the Dragons continue to put out their fabulously unique music to the world.
9/10