On June 23, 2017, American indie rock band Imagine Dragons released their third studio album, ‘Evolve’. It includes 11 tracks (14 on the Deluxe Edition). The band had already won listeners over with their hit ‘Radioactive’, which topped numerous charts, and with their two previous albums, ‘Night Visions’ (2012) and ‘Smoke + Mirrors’ (2015).

First of all, it is full of fashionable modern details, experiments with sound, and a mixture of different styles and genres. There are no sharp dissonances contrasts are softened with smooth transitions. Imagine Dragons combine elements of rock, electronics, and hip‑hop harmoniously. A palette of diverse sounds and melodies blends in the right proportions, without breaking the overall structure, yet going beyond any strict concept. It is difficult to unite such different songs under one single idea.

Compared with the previous albums, ‘Evolve’ turned out not only more varied, but also more positive. One feels an optimistic spirit, a sense of joy, of hope for something better, a lift in emotions. ‘Smoke + Mirrors’ was more tense and sad, while ‘Night Visions’ sounded more like classic indie rock, without strong experiments in sound. ‘Evolve’ is an unusual, expressive record that absorbs the best ideas from its predecessors and seasons them with abundant transformations, moving from intensity to melody, from confusion to calm and clarity. Synths, drums, guitars, vocals, everything shows quality, dedication, and soul invested in the process. Listening from track to track, you do not notice how time flies, as you dive completely into its magical atmosphere.

‘I Don’t Know’ is the very first track on the album. It intrigues with its tense beginning, rolling waves of anxiety, and a certain darkness. Then, under the vocalist’s piercing voice, the track suddenly becomes cheerful and almost danceable. It’s an unusual combination of all the elements: music, vocals, and backing vocals. It feels as if the song was crafted from different pieces, like a patchwork. But this does not make it any worse; it sets the listener into the album’s inherent spirit of surprise, unpredictability, and contrasts.

The second track, ‘Whatever It Takes’, starts with rapid-fire delivery, builds momentum, and by the chorus the spoken verses transition into an expressive vocal performance over a soulful arrangement. It becomes melodic, yet doesn’t lose any of its energy. One of the most successful compositions on the album.

‘Believer’ exists in two versions: the original and a remix. Both start with an intense beat, tapping a rhythm like a clock, accompanied by tense audio distortions. On the chorus, the emphasis is on frontman Dan Reynolds’ distinctive vocal style. His impulsive singing breaks sound barriers and sets the track ablaze with wild energy. ‘Believer’ was released long before the album and has already found favor with many listeners. The remix is done in a slightly dubstep sound and sounds quite respectable.

‘Walking The Wire’ reveals lyrical notes from the very first seconds. It begins quite typically, with a sound similar to many other bands. However, once again, the eccentric delivery of the vocalist makes its mark, immediately cutting through the clouds of everydayness with Imagine Dragons’ expressive and distinctive style. The composition is full of strong, heartfelt emotions, framed with a noble instrumental foundation.

“Rise Up” is like a look back at the previous albums. This track mentally returns to the roots, to the sound with which the band first appeared to the public — true indie rock. Sometimes sharp, sometimes “sweet,” with smooth transitions from one tempo to another, this track will definitely bring back the emotions from listening to Imagine Dragons’ earlier works and will surely receive high praise among the band’s fans.

“I’ll Make It Up To You” is another lyrical song, vaguely reminiscent of popular 90s ballads. Calm and harmony, a measured, coaxing voice, unobtrusive light touches of electronics. The guitar heard at the end pierces the flow of the melody, weaving threads into multifaceted echoes and painting tasty musical patterns.

The song “Yesterday” refers to the namesake hit by The Beatles, whose work is deeply respected by Imagine Dragons’ members. It’s not a cover, and the rhythm is quite different, but there is still some similarity in sound, both in the music and in the vocals. It sounds amusing and, in its own way, strange. The band once again managed to surprise.

The arrangement of “Mouth of the River” uses many unusual features and techniques. It seems as if several different songs are played simultaneously, but there is no cacophony, no desire to switch tracks, rather the opposite, you listen in amazement at how this kaleidoscope of melodies and sounds was combined. The song radiates positivity, energy, and is filled with enthusiasm to change the whole world for the better, or at least a part of it.

“Thunder” is one of the album’s main hits, with a music video shot for it. Electronic music, atmospheric hip-hop smoothly transforming into magnificent vocals, percussion, autotune in a “cartoonish” style. Again, the effect of surprise. Although the track sounds ultra-modern, when listening, you mentally transport yourself somewhere to the land of myths, closing your eyes and imagining either African tribal rituals or Native Americans against endless open spaces.

“Start Over” is a song about the desire to start everything anew. Love lyrics, reminiscent of happy-ending soundtracks for melodramas. It could harmoniously fit into Ghost, Pretty Woman, and similar films. The addition of various modernist audio elements, percussion, and beats makes it more positive, more contemporary, juicier.

“Dancing In the Dark” is the least similar to Imagine Dragons’ work. The rhythm is very slow, smooth, the vocals drawn-out, the sound in a trip-hop style. Atmospheric, but rather dull, for an acquired taste.

“Levitate” is a soundtrack to the sci-fi drama Passengers. A beautiful, well-performed song, but fairly formulaic. Still, fans of lyrical motifs will quite enjoy it.

“Not Today” seems to continue the previous composition. Also a soundtrack, for the melodrama Me Before You. Here we hear elevated piano sounds, soulful strings, and a heartfelt voice, everything standardized. Once again, a well-recorded song, but unremarkable.

In conclusion, the album can easily be rated 5 out of 5. Almost all tracks were full of fresh ideas, variations, and instrumental color. Synthesizer, samples, beats, guitar, drum parts, driving rhythms, unique vocal delivery, all of it is high-quality, multifaceted, atmospheric. Imagine Dragons are rightly considered among the most promising and talented musicians of today, and their new album is clear proof of this. Enjoy listening!