2 weeks ago, alternative rock band Imagine Dragons released their fifth studio album, Mercury – Act 1 to streaming platforms across the globe. 

After taking a nearly 3 year hiatus, the group of lead singer Dan Reynolds, lead guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Daniel Platzman, and drummer Ben McKee present the album shortly after their single greatest hit track, “Radioactive” was just overtaken by The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” as the song with the longest stay on the U.S. top charts (87 weeks). 

The group out of Las Vegas has found success in the streaming era, having over 39 million monthly listeners on Spotify. 

Best Track: “Wrecked”

With elements of their alternative roots as well as intense pop lyrics, this song has received the highest praises from listeners as it is the most-streamed song from the release on Apple Music. This song was chosen as an early release by the record label, so it makes sense that it has become the most popular.

The song revolves around a character in the first-person point-of-view who is struggling to cope with the end of a relationship. The minor harmonies match the profound lyrics that Imagine Dragons is known for.

Worst Track: “Easy Come Easy Go”

What can be interpreted as an ode to the times of COVID-19, “Easy Come Easy Go” simply falls short of the rest of the songs on the album. The lyrics are rather simple, and the overall pace of the song drags to the point of slight boredom. Even the song addresses itself as a “lullaby”. 

The album explores many themes, including loss, recovery, getting back to normal, and emotional vulnerability. Unfortunately, the elements of this song missed the mark in terms of creating a song and a story in one.

Surprise Favorite: “My Life”

This song appears to draw influence from other alternative superstars Coldplay and OneRepublic, with the song’s volume and intensity gradually building to a guitar solo and final chorus. I can only imagine this song was made with the intention of being a sensational live performance experience. Let’s hope that concerts and music festivals will return sooner than later in South Florida! In the meantime, we can savor the album in the privacy of our ears only.

Overall Grade: B-

Compared to their previous work, there aren’t as many obvious hit songs as some of their prior albums, such as Evolve or Night Visions, but it is refreshing to hear the evolution of the group’s sound. Each album from Imagine Dragons often has a unique identity, and Mercury Act 1 is no different.

You can listen to Imagine Dragons on all streaming platforms. The group plans to go on tour starting in February 2022.