Smoke + Mirrors
by Imagine Dragons
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 366 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 274 out of 366
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 366
  3. Negative: 38 out of 366
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  1. vectorvicter
    Jan 17, 2023
    10
    This album is easily the best imagine dragons album. It is experimenting all the way, but they do it right. I love this album so much to my heart, and shots and the fall are some of the best songs. Lesser to im so sorry, but still charming in it's own way. 10/10
  2. Crypticghost
    Jun 18, 2022
    10
    Smoke and mirrors is a beautiful masterpiece that makes you feel like your going on a journey with the band songs are well produced and different from each other
  3. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    Yikes. Sounds like if chris martin couldn't sing or write songs. Tell me at least one sing here that isn't derivative, empty or boring.
  4. SelectInsect44
    Oct 5, 2021
    10
    Great album and glad they continued the greatness that’s Night Visions, everything here's great. It has nearly no average differences when compared to Night Visions, these two albums are kinda for each other. It’s a really close 2nd place in my ranking with Night Visions being first. Friction is my favorite from this album
  5. Codeling
    Aug 7, 2021
    7
    It's a very good album. Actually it is the last good Imagine Dragons LP.
    Best songs: Friction
    Worst songs: -
  6. Firebreather_
    May 3, 2021
    10
    Simply a masterpiece, each song has a beautiful meaning
    A medida que vas escuchando las canciones, te vas identificando con cada una de ellas, la manera en la que Imagine Dragons quiere dar algún mensaje es increíble, no entiendo el por quéla baja calificación, en cuanto a letra Smoke + Mirrors es el mejor de los 4, Veremos si su quinto álbum logra ser igual de hermoso y maravilloso que el    Simply a masterpiece, each song has a beautiful meaning
    A medida que vas escuchando las canciones, te vas identificando con cada una de ellas, la manera en la que Imagine Dragons quiere dar algún mensaje es increíble, no entiendo el por quéla baja calificación, en cuanto a letra Smoke + Mirrors es el mejor de los 4, Veremos si su quinto álbum logra ser igual de hermoso y maravilloso que el resto    … Expand
  7. PhoenixReveiws
    Mar 23, 2021
    7
    This was a hit or miss album. Some were good some were less so. The song the whole album is named after usually should be the biggest hit, but it's barely memorable. Although, there are some really good ones in there.

    Good:
    I'm So Sorry
    I Bet My Life
    Dream
    Gold
  8. WOLFGANG_
    Mar 20, 2021
    10
    Best band of the world i love imagine dragons so much all members i love uuuu
  9. ayush__id
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Words can't tell what a pure masterpiece this album is. But what I can surely tell is Metacritic hates and despises Imagine Dragons. Every song has it's own story. Not a single skip. Top favs are Hopeless Opus, Dream, Smoke And Mirrors, Shots, Second Chances, Who We Are And The Fall.
  10. AlwaysShining29
    Aug 6, 2020
    10
    This is the best album to ever exist, completely full of masterpieces, and I’d give it an exact 10/10 (or even more). I’m going to explain why.

    Right balance between pop and rock, interesting lyrics, catchy choruses in all 21 songs, a bunch of atmospheric songs... What can be better than that? I’d give every song above a 9,5/10 except Release (8,25/10). If it had more instruments and it    This is the best album to ever exist, completely full of masterpieces, and I’d give it an exact 10/10 (or even more). I’m going to explain why.

    Right balance between pop and rock, interesting lyrics, catchy choruses in all 21 songs, a bunch of atmospheric songs... What can be better than that?

    I’d give every song above a 9,5/10 except Release (8,25/10). If it had more instruments and it was slightly longer, it would also surpass that 9,5/10.    … Expand
  11. sebdev
    Aug 6, 2020
    10
    Their best album to this date, and their most "rock" oriented album as well. It is a natural evolution of what we got with its predecessor, but this time including even better lyrics and a more instrumental sound.
  12. Joel_Freecheck
    May 29, 2020
    7
    Their sophmore effort feels underdeveloped but still packs a decent punch. "Dream" and "I'm So Sorry" are wonderful tracks.
  13. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 10, 2020
    7
    Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons: 6.37

    Shots: 0.75 Gold: 1 Smoke And Mirrors: 1 :) I’m So Sorry: 1 :) I Bet My Life: 1 :) Polaroid: 0.75 Friction: 0.5 It Comes Back To You: 0.75 Dream: 0.75 Trouble: 1 :) Summer: 1 :) Hopeless Opus: 0.75 The Fall: 0.75 Thief: 1 The Unknown: 0.5 Second Chances: 0.25 Release: 1 :) Warriors: 0.5 Battle Cry: 0.5 Monster: 1 Who We Are:    Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons: 6.37

    Shots: 0.75
    Gold: 1
    Smoke And Mirrors: 1 :)
    I’m So Sorry: 1 :)
    I Bet My Life: 1 :)
    Polaroid: 0.75
    Friction: 0.5
    It Comes Back To You: 0.75
    Dream: 0.75
    Trouble: 1 :)
    Summer: 1 :)
    Hopeless Opus: 0.75
    The Fall: 0.75
    Thief: 1
    The Unknown: 0.5
    Second Chances: 0.25
    Release: 1 :)
    Warriors: 0.5
    Battle Cry: 0.5
    Monster: 1
    Who We Are: 1 :)

    16.75/21 ~ .798 -> 6.37

    Imagine Dragons’ sophomore album manages to be a good one despite being woefully inferior to their first. Smoke + Mirrors plays it safe and is less explosive and energetic than Night Visions and is therefore less exciting. Even though the score is almost a full point and half less than its predecessor, it is still a fair attempt at a good album, even though it leaves something to be desired. That being said, S+M still contains a few really good songs, Trouble and I Bet My Life to name a couple. Second Chances was the only song that I wasn’t sure about, as it seemed like it was building but went nowhere and the high voices were meh. In fact, that’s how a chunk of the album was: not up to snuff. Although, it still did well enough to get a 7, so I can’t say too much about its downsides. While Smoke + Mirrors wasn’t as good as Night Visions, it was still a good listen. Highlights: Gold, Smoke And Mirrors, I’m So Sorry, I Bet My Life, Trouble, Summer, Thief, Release, Monster, and Who We Are.    … Expand
  14. uddipta15
    Jul 28, 2019
    10
    The best album by Imagine Dragons. A rollercoaster of emotions. From the majestic Shots to the epic closer The Fall.
  15. manningn15
    Jul 6, 2019
    10
    This album is even better than their debut album. Dan Reynolds voice continues to be stupendous and the bands writing continues to get better. I love the really cool and original cover. I like all of the songs but I love Shots, I Bet My Life, Smoke and Mirrors, Gold, I'm So Sorry, and Hopeless Opus. The videos for the songs Shots and I Bet My Life were spectacularly done. They are stillThis album is even better than their debut album. Dan Reynolds voice continues to be stupendous and the bands writing continues to get better. I love the really cool and original cover. I like all of the songs but I love Shots, I Bet My Life, Smoke and Mirrors, Gold, I'm So Sorry, and Hopeless Opus. The videos for the songs Shots and I Bet My Life were spectacularly done. They are still one of my top 5 favorite bands and one of my favorite musical artists of all time.… Expand
  16. mariolanes7788
    Nov 9, 2018
    10
    My favorite album Imagine Dagons has done to date. barely over Night Visions. This was definitely something Special, Shots is an instant classic, Gold was good, Smoke and Mirrors sum up the album perfectly as it's sad and depressing with a light at the end of a tunnel which is what I think of when I think about this album. I'm So Sorry is a great song, I Bet My Life was beautiful in everyMy favorite album Imagine Dagons has done to date. barely over Night Visions. This was definitely something Special, Shots is an instant classic, Gold was good, Smoke and Mirrors sum up the album perfectly as it's sad and depressing with a light at the end of a tunnel which is what I think of when I think about this album. I'm So Sorry is a great song, I Bet My Life was beautiful in every way, Polaroid was also beautiful, Friction was a little off there norm but I have to say it was still amazing as it's intensity got to me and Dan Reynolds vocals really shined. It Comes Back To You is still one of my favorite songs from them to date it's just beautiful and to me very relatable. Dream is also beautiful, Trouble was amazing, Summer was also great, Hopeless Opus was when it took this album to a different level, it somehow grabs you with its very simple beat and it's lyrics are beautiful and it is definitely a masterpiece. Finally, the Fall which is one of my favorite songs it's just beautiful and really hits your soul and makes you feel what Dan Reynolds feels, it has an old way of grabbing you similar to Demons. Than you had the deluxe edition which didn't disappoint Thief was a very good song and don't wanna sound like a broken record but I am still trying to keep this short (Even thought it's like 2500 characters long) it was beautiful, The Unknown had an unknown feeling towards it, which might be why they called it the unknown it's lyrically beautiful, Second Chances it probably the worst song on the album but is still amazing, and finally release which is beautiful I always love hearing Dan Reynold and a guitar, I Was Me is still one of my favorite songs and release is very similar.

    Full Ratings:
    Shots 10/10
    Gold 8.5/10
    Smoke and Mirrors 9/10
    I'm So Sorry 9/10
    I Bet My Life 10/10
    Polaroid 10/10
    Friction 9/10
    It Comes Back To You 10/10
    Dream 9/10
    Trouble 9/10
    Summer 9/10
    Hopeless Opus 10/10
    The Fall 10/10
    Thief 9/10
    The Unknown 9/10
    Second Chances 8/10
    Release 10/10
    Complete Score : 158.5/170 (93.2%)
    (I still rate this a 10/10 as I always round up.)    … Expand
  17. DanMartinez
    Mar 19, 2018
    9
    Are you looking for songs that change your point of view in humanity?
    That's what Smoke + Mirrors is for
  18. Jarody
    Mar 16, 2018
    9
    The second studio album by Imagine Dragons does everything their first album did, but better. It has some tracks that are even more outstanding than those off the first album, and some of the instrumentation is absolutely outstanding, especially from the Electric Guitar. My only real complaint about this album is that the band were clearly unsure on what direction to take, which isThe second studio album by Imagine Dragons does everything their first album did, but better. It has some tracks that are even more outstanding than those off the first album, and some of the instrumentation is absolutely outstanding, especially from the Electric Guitar. My only real complaint about this album is that the band were clearly unsure on what direction to take, which is evidently clear from the abnormally wide range of genres on this record.
    Favourite Tracks- Shots, Friction, Gold, Smoke and Mirrors, Hopeless Opus, Dream, I'm So Sorry
    Least Favourite Tracks- Summer    … Expand
  19. MacsMusic
    Jan 15, 2018
    9
    Lyrically, this album is dark, original, and great, for the most part. The slow, thought-provoking songs and the loud rock songs alike are memorable and both have great stuff. "Dream" has dark, memorable, amazing lyrics. It sounds AMAZING in concert. "Trouble", "Gold", "I'm So Sorry", and "Polaroid" are very good lyrically. They are dark, full of hopelessness, and original. Musically, thisLyrically, this album is dark, original, and great, for the most part. The slow, thought-provoking songs and the loud rock songs alike are memorable and both have great stuff. "Dream" has dark, memorable, amazing lyrics. It sounds AMAZING in concert. "Trouble", "Gold", "I'm So Sorry", and "Polaroid" are very good lyrically. They are dark, full of hopelessness, and original. Musically, this album is great. "It Comes Back to You" has great pre-chorus music. I could listen to it on repeat for hours. The nightmarish part on the title track gives the song character and makes it original and unforgettable. "Gold" and "I'm So Sorry" have excellent rock music that I personally love. "I Bet My Life" is the weakest song from this album, surprisingly. Overall, this is a great album musically and lyrically.… Expand
  20. spacebear1
    Jan 2, 2018
    7
    Imagine Dragon's Smoke + Mirrors is a fantastic second album from this fantastic band. This album, just like the previous, perfectly blends various genres into one album and it's sounds perfect.
  21. mrdr4gon
    Nov 15, 2017
    5
    WAY too similar to their debut, far too samey across the album itself, and full of empty, vacuous songwriting. A couple of highlights manage to scrape this back up to average.
  22. Blanche
    Aug 11, 2017
    7
    Smoke + Mirrors is an uplifting, cool catalogue of indie pop and rock which is spread across several differing moods. Be it upbeat, unwinding or even invigorating, this album delivers in most fronts. Some songs fall flat, some are even a bit cringy, but generally the record makes for a good listen and something I'll pop in my headphones every now and then.
  23. sasscardigan
    Jul 25, 2017
    9
    Totalmente diferente al primer álbum, pero mucho mejor. Smoke and Mirrors tiene letras bellísimas, sonidos nuevos excelentes y muy entretenido también. Hay altibajos, probablemente en algunas canciones, pero la calidad de otras realmente equipara lo bueno de este álbum.
  24. will28
    Jul 15, 2017
    9
    Although this album is different from Night Visions it is a great album to listen to. It took me awhile to warm up to this album but after a few listens to it i can say it's a great album.
  25. chanloh
    Jun 23, 2017
    9
    I felt this album had a darker undertone than its predecessor and had more rock-ish songs this time round ("You can't fight the friction!").

    Also loved how there are two sides to "Shots" - Light instrumentals but dark lyrics. It's like dark and embracing the light, and setting the stage for the colour in Evolve!
  26. Frank4453
    Jun 18, 2017
    10
    Easily one of the best albums I've listened to. Full of songs that will be stuck in your head for days at a time ranging from pop songs with deep lyrics to alternative rock anthems.
  27. PabloBird22
    Jan 4, 2017
    9
    these guys and his songs are always amazing, sometimes when i go out, i put his song in my car and his music always relax me, Imagine dragons have a enjoyable music album
  28. teqkira
    Jun 19, 2016
    5
    O Imagine Dragons já é grande conhecido de todo mundo, apareceu e ganhou visibilidade logo quando surgiu com “It’s Time”, o primeiro single de seu disco de estréia, o Night Visions de 2012, produzido pela banda em conjunto com Alex Da Kid. O disco estreou em 2º lugar na lista da Billboard e ficou no topo dos charts de rock de vários países. Daí pra frente foram colhendo os frutos dosO Imagine Dragons já é grande conhecido de todo mundo, apareceu e ganhou visibilidade logo quando surgiu com “It’s Time”, o primeiro single de seu disco de estréia, o Night Visions de 2012, produzido pela banda em conjunto com Alex Da Kid. O disco estreou em 2º lugar na lista da Billboard e ficou no topo dos charts de rock de vários países. Daí pra frente foram colhendo os frutos dos singles seguintes como “Demons” e o super hit “Radioactive”.

    Após o sucesso da Into The Night Tour, que teve seu encerramento num show incrível e cheio de energia no Lollapalooza Brasil do ano passado, a banda deu uma pausa nas atividades para começar as gravações de seu segundo disco, o Smoke + Mirrors, que teve boa parte do seu material escrito enquanto a banda estava na estrada com a turnê.A faixa escolhida para ser o carro chefe do novo álbum foi “I Bet My Life” que apesar da letra sensacional (que Dan explicou ser sobre a sua relação com os pais), não trouxe grandes mudanças ou evolução na sonoridade da banda. O single seguinte foi a maravilhosa “Gold”, que é impecável em todos os sentidos e a grande responsável pela decepção que foi o disco.

    Depois da abertura “Shots” e a já citada “Gold”, chega a faixa que dá nome ao álbum, a primeira que começa com uma ambientação muito boa e chega num refrão gritado que não mantém o fôlego. Em seguida, em “Im So Sorry”, vem uma esperança com o instrumental pesado pra cantar bem alto o que talvez seja uma das melhores frases do disco e que cresce para um solo de guitarra que acaba antes de chegar aonde deveria e novamente quebra o clima.

    O Smoke + Mirrors segue nesse clima de músicas épicas, com instrumentais que crescem e ficam prestes a estourar no clímax, mas que no fim das contas não chegam em lugar nenhum. Além de boa parte dele me dar a impressão de já ter escutado aquelas músicas em algum lugar. Talvez isso tudo seja causado pela pressão em fazer um novo álbum logo para aproveitar o hype colossal que foi colocado em cima deles e por esse material ter sido produzido em grande parte ainda com os integrantes da banda imersos no clima do “Night Visions”.

    Pra não falar só de defeitos, posso destacar a “Friction” e quase no fim, “Hopeless Opus” que me arrepiaram todo e conseguiram dar uma salvada no disco. Além de tudo, não há como negar que a produção do disco melhorou muito em termos técnicos, o que é um avanço, já que o disco foi praticamente inteiro escrito e produzido pela banda, contando com a ajuda de Alex Da Kid somente em duas faixas.

    Apesar do disco de estúdio ter sido esse banho de água fria, sei que ao vivo eles conseguem dar um gás absurdo nas músicas, além de trazer os hits do trabalho anterior pra animar mais ainda seu púbico e mostrar que são mais que só um truque de fumaça e espelhos.    … Expand
  29. americanbeauty
    Jan 16, 2016
    7
    Não entendo como muita gente não gosta deste álbum, é maravilhoso - mesmo sendo tapete do Night Visions -, tendo uma sonoridade maravilhosa e uma incrível diversividade instrumental como esta, o álbum é fantástico.
  30. CharlieBetterIs
    Jan 13, 2016
    8
    01. Shots - 100/100
    02. Gold - 100/100
    03. Smoke And Mirrors - 85/100 04. I'm So Sorry - 100/100 05. I Bet My Life - 85/100 06. Polaroid - 90/100 07. Friction - 95/100 08. It Comes Back To You - 85/100 09. Dream - 85/100 10. Trouble - 90/100 11. Summer - 95/100 12. Hopeless Opus - 80/100 13. The Fall - 80/100 14. Thief - 100/100 15. The Unknown - 90/100 16. Second Chances -    01. Shots - 100/100
    02. Gold - 100/100
    03. Smoke And Mirrors - 85/100
    04. I'm So Sorry - 100/100
    05. I Bet My Life - 85/100
    06. Polaroid - 90/100
    07. Friction - 95/100
    08. It Comes Back To You - 85/100
    09. Dream - 85/100
    10. Trouble - 90/100
    11. Summer - 95/100
    12. Hopeless Opus - 80/100
    13. The Fall - 80/100
    14. Thief - 100/100
    15. The Unknown - 90/100
    16. Second Chances - 60/100
    17. Release - 95/100
    18. Warriors - 95/100
    19. Battle Cry - 80/100
    20. Monster - 95/100
    21. Who You Are - 95/100
    Média: 89/100

    Smoke + Mirrors é um ótimo álbum. Mesmo com seus pontos baixos e sendo o "tapete" do Night Visions, ele deve ser escutado pela sua incrível sonoridade, além da diversificada instrumentalidade, lirismo diversificado e a ótima voz de Dan.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed Album of 2015
71
#71 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    Feb 20, 2015
    70
    These guys are shameless and that's what makes them more fun than your average arena rockers.
    Read full review
  2. Boston Globe
    Feb 17, 2015
    70
    Evocations of everyone from Coldplay to Peter Gabriel to Queen remain intact, with that first band’s specter looming largest over the moody, dirge-y, electro-tweaked proceedings. The album hits its most interesting and feverish spike with the furtive yelps and rhythms of “Friction.”
    Read full review
  3. Billboard.com
    Feb 17, 2015
    50
    Smoke + Mirrors may seem too recycled and belabored to entice the unconverted, but the hints of hidden depths are a pleasant surprise.
    Read full review
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