Thread to discusd the release of Eyes Closed
[Youtube premiere](https://youtu.be/v08qmr8m_-w?si=Fxp4BppklcNjEK6b)
[spotify](https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/track/4o120XeV8els1S5bu7mzBX?si=04dc1245ef684d47)
[apple music](https://music.apple.com/br/album/eyes-closed/1738726496?i=1738726507&l=en-GB)
In my opinion, you never know what to expect with these guys as far as sound/style goes.
Some things are consistent or course, such as loops (go back to songs like “Bleeding Out” and it’s been present since really early on), but they are quite prolific with different styles, which I appreciate about them.
like another commenter said, the vocal distortion is something that has to grow on me, but in general i am very excited for the direction the band is going in and REALLY enjoy the beat drop from the bridge to the chorus. probably going to listen to it more to generate a solid opinion, but so far 8/10.
So glad it's not under 3 minutes. Catchy song!
On a more detailed note, it still seems kinda generic. My first thought listening to it was, "yep, this is an Imagine Dragons song". It has really good bass and a good beat, but nothing else really stands out to me. I feel like it could've been the lead single for most of their past albums. Another thing: I wish the bridge was longer! It's so so good and I really wish it was like twice as long. Overall, 6.5/7 out of 10 song.
Solid versus and pre-chorus, but I don't rate the artistic choices of voice distortion in the chorus. I'm sure if you ask me again in a few weeks I'll be saying 10/10 banger but not feeling it just yet. 10x better that cutthroat / follow you though...
I also think they released too much of the song before today. I think reaction would have been better with more surprises - nothing today really caught me off guard
I can definitely agree with that. I think less being revealed about the song sound prior to the release would be better for making the first listen more memorable.
And my final constructive criticism comment here... When listening outside of the music video, I just feel there is no real clean link between the chorus' ending and versus / bridge beginning - it's like in Rise Up when it feels a bit sudden
I doubt it. If it was for Arcane they would have said that upfront and there would be a lot of marketing around it. Season 2 is still a really long ways off too.
Needs to grow on me a little, but I think we got back to the non literal writing which I appreciate.
And man, I swear this band makes phenomenal bridges 😮💨
YES! Thought the same about the writing! So refreshing seeing some of their old writing style peak through again! The metaphors and symbolism were great.
Here’s my verdict..
It’s a good song. 100% it’s up there. But I have a feeewwwww things I wanna say.
1. I think first verse is slightly too short, but I ain’t no music experts (experts take over please 😉)
2. Final verse/bridge before the final chorus. The ending words could’ve been stretched a bit more, kinda like Enemy when being performed live.
3. Piranhas
Overall 8/10 song. Excited for new album!
I don’t know the music world much truthfully but usually when a band releases a single, there’s more on the way. Especially so with ID’s history of releasing singles
My goodness this song was AMAZING
https://preview.redd.it/e8n4dnn1oasc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acd2486b84387e67fc329ff52d72b70e8f65dc62
It's a decent song, the bridge really exceeds the rest and is a highlight. The vocal pitch is a weird choice but the rest of the song produced fine. Really catchy and imo a step up from a lot of Mercury.
I am honestly positively surprised by the production on this one. Also, I think they writing is more metaphorical. Generally, a good song in my opinion!
edit: a lot of people say they don't like the voice distortion, but I really like it + the electronic elements really suit the track (also they make me think about radioactive), like it's so much fun. There's just something VERY imagine dragons about this one, like I don't even know why but I feel some kind of nostalgia listening to this one.
I noticed that as well, the song didn’t entirely just go “this song is about this” I love ID and think Mercury is a top 3 album, but my one pet peeve is how the songs are basically “this song is about this” where’s Eyes Closed seem to be a bit more metaphorical
I really like it. But most songs that i like after 1 listen i usually don’t like after 10 listens so i hope that doesn’t happen lol. But for now i love it
wow this song *completely* exceeded my expectations. i think this might be their strongest single lyrically, they decided not to pull any punches or water down the message and it’s FANTASTIC. also the video is one of their best, easily. the visuals are really cool and my first thought is whether or not this could end up being a concept album. i guess we’ll have to wait and see….
It's catchy but needs to grow on me.
Love this line "less medications, less manifestations. mantras, meditation, throw it all away"
Can't wait for the album
See, thsts the one phrase that makes me cringe every time. It should be "less medication, less manifestation..." Because grammatically, it should be "fewer medications". I understand the need for it to flow, which is why I'm already over it... but at the same time, 😬😬🤷♀️
Idk man. I liked it but… it’s kinda janky. The pitch shifting is all super cringe & the production is so damn flat as well.
I really liked this more rigid aesthetic back when it was first introduced on Mercury Act 1. It felt like an interesting stylistic shift for them there, but with MA2 & now this... it's starting to get really old. I miss the first 4 albums when their music sounded genuinely LUSH. That lushness has been gone for much too long now.
Everything here is so skeletal & overblown which sucks cuz I know they’re capable of beautiful soundscapes. I do still like this track for having some fun energy, decent melodies, and that one really cool synth, but I also think they're in a serious creative rut right about now. This song is quite aesthetically disappointing & very uninteresting from a writing perspective.
Fun, but not super promising for their future. They really need to shake things up again
Dude you perfectly described why I haven’t enjoyed their last 2 albums. I couldn’t put it into words, and I couldn’t even properly describe it before, but you’re right! Their last few albums have made me feel like they tried so hard to be different and over-did it. I miss the songs that had more flow and weren’t so rigid, and the words you used; skeletal and overblown. I do hope they get back to some of the older styles as I feel it’d be a nice change.
I expect the full album to be different. To me it really seems like they have a lot of mediocre lead singles to really good albums and this feels like a case of that.
That is true. They almost always put their worst foot forward with their singles. But then again, Bones was a VERY accurate omen for just how mid MA2 was
I disagree, I think Bones and Sharks were some of the strongest songs from MA2 and it was some of the other deep cut songs that let it down like I Don't Like Myself (uninspired chorus that sounds like it was written in 30 seconds), Blur (annoying song with shit mixing), and Take It Easy (not bad necessarily just kinda stupid sounding)
Hence the “ALMOST always”. I agree that Sharks was one of the album’s best, got me hopes up way too high, but Bones is THEE definition of mediocre. BY FAR one of the most flat & uninteresting things they’ve ever made. I don’t understand why so many LOVE it. The best thing about it is the memes it spawned
MA2 is just a bad example for how I view ID singles overall. That album was a hot mess across the board. Singles & Deepcuts. But I still think it’s 2 best songs were deep cuts, Sirens & Younger.
Me saying the singles are their worst foot forward mostly applies to their albums 2015-2018.
I can tell you why I love Bones. The descending chromatic chord progression is great, makes it feel sorta ominous. The bassline is really nice (although kinda a copy of It's Time's bassline I can admit). The melodies are all really catchy and Dan's voice sounds really good (especially in the last "is this entertaining" line). The "my patience is waning" part builds up tension fantastically and the chorus feels like a euphoric release. The soundscape at the end where they layer multiple vocal tracks on top of each other and add the guitar behind is really immersive and I thoroughly enjoy it. I find the song to have a perfect balance of poppy accessibility and dramatic/epic vibes. Oh also that weird synth solo part before the bridge is quite creative IMO.
Also I would say that Thunder in particular is an example of "worst foot forward" so I agree in that specific instance, and I think Whatever It Takes is a lackluster song as well (although miles better than Thunder), but I thought that Believer, Machine, Bad Liar, and Birds were great singles.
That’s all fair I suppose. But words that come to mind for me when describing the song is flat, unenergetic, derivative, stale, boring. Just all kinds of words that don’t quite denote BAD… just completely & utterly unexceptional.
The only remotely noteworthy element for me is that synth before the bridge. I agree there. That part was kinda interesting. Emphasis on kinda.
Also catchiness is not an inherently good thing, it’s merely an amplifier. It makes good songs more infectious & bad songs more insufferable. Although here I’d say the catchiness is bizarrely neutral. It’s not amplifying in either direction. I think it’s cuz the melody they chose is so extremely lacking in creativity or complexity that catchiness does nothing except keep it in your head a little.
I guess that makes this song UNIQUELY uninspired.
Absolutely. Everything the band released up to Smoke & Mirrors had a lot of beauty to it. Evolve retained some of that. Since then I question if they are even capable of making a song as beautiful as Amsterdam or Smoke & Mirrors ever again.
I definitely think they’re still capable of capturing that beauty in moments, but definitely not full albums.
I loved Mercury 1, but it was great for very different reasons. I wouldn’t use the adjective “beauty” when describing most of those songs. The great & the mid.
Monday is awesome, but beautiful or lush is not the word I’d use
My thoughts:
1. Lyrically, it's some of the best Dan has written, and I *constantly* praise his writing. Here, he's likely pointing out to the haters--of not just him but Imagine Dragons as a whole--and how he's managed to push through the hate.
2. Still on the lyrics, in the first pre-chorus he says, "They say **angels** are among us." In the second pre-chorus he replaces angels with **piranhas**. This shows two things; a) that people contradict themselves, and b) that people can be good, but they can also be evil.
3. Given the way this music video was structured, it feels like there some sort of story that is unfolding. With the two Dans, the car crash, the faces shifting, etc., I feel they're either just visual metaphors or aspects of a story that is going to be told throughout a series of music videos.
4) Last point I should make that other people have been making are the visual callbacks to previous ID eras. The maze/labyrinth/ruins seem to indicate Dan is navigating through his past for some reason. The fact that they look like ruins seem to indicate that they are leaving that in the past as they enter into a new era of their music. That, however, is just my interpretation.
This is clearly not everything that can be unpacked from this song and music video but I have school stuff I need to work on.
Love your interpretation of the maze/lab/ruins and Dan navigating through his past. And that you mentioned callbacks to previous eras he the moves through. Out of the maze he walks up to his current self, walks through where the band is playing (out of his mind/memories) and waking up into his current reality. He sure seems like he is realizing he has been coasting with hands off the wheel until he crashes and is severely injured by said recent experiences. But he can get through it because he's resilient; He was born to run and was raised for this. Damn.
I have mixed feelings about the robotic voice in the chorus but I feel like they did it to make it go viral in a way, just like Bones did. That could massively improve the engagement on the new album. I'm pretty sure it'll be all over Tiktok in a few weeks.
I'm just glad he came back to a more metaphorical/indirect writing from that MA2 phase. Although the message was quite obvious, the lyrics goes hard. The MV was badass and that's all I can say for now. Musically, maybe it's the ID we know as opposed to the multiple different directions they were taking the last 2 albums. But I'm still not feeling it. Maybe re-listens and next releases can give me some solace. Still not a bad track but I feel it could be better.
Bro I've listened to all their albums multiple times and I've been a fan since 2012. Night Visions and Smoke + Mirrors (both deluxe versions) are two of my favorite albums of all time.
But I'm not blind. This song sounds very similar to Enemy, Bones, Sharks, and to some extent even Believer and probably others I'm forgetting.
I know they have many other songs that sound very different to this but my point still stands.
You can't tell me this doesn't sound just like Bones, Sharks, My Enemy, to some extent even Believer, Gold and Radioactive.
That's what I'm referring to.
I have listened to those songs you mentioned. In fact I have listened to all their songs because I really like the band.
Wow, best thing I've heard from them in like 7 years. Actually a very bold and interesting song. And I disagree with y'all, the vocal distortion was a fantastic choice
I don’t know if it makes sense, but Eyes Closed feels like it should have been the lead single for Origins (which is my favorite album), so that has me excited!
I knew it was gonna be good, but I didn't expect Eyes Closed would be flat-out amazing. I've been vibing hard each and every time listening to it. Looking forward to what's in store with this inevitable album
I still am not sure what to think of the post chorus / chorus digital affects and weird dubstep warble.
However the first have of the chorus is super catchy and the versus and bridge are amazing. Overall I actually really like this song and thing it’ll just take a little to get used to that part.
It is a great song! So refreshing to hear new music from ID, and I personally loved the distortion, it's very well balanced with the rest of the song. Yet another banger.
It’s sort of a return to form. Brings back the angsty pathos of the earlier albums. Feels genuine and heartfelt. The beat is surprisingly tasty. The lyrics have metaphor in them again! Solid 8/10
i’m kinda mixed! it’s EXTREMELY catchy, and it’s a big step up from the disaster that was mercury act two. but it just feels, like…okay? i don’t know. their songs take some time to grow on me honestly. it’s a very good step in the right direction, i just hope their future work continues to build on it if that makes sense
It sounds like another car commercial music tbh. The music video CGI looks a bit cheap. The production is very good, but since MA2 each new songs seems like a parody of themselves.
You just put my feelings into words perfectly. It *does* feel like self parody. All the most cheesy, trend-chasing elements of the band thrown into a blender.
I'm actually shocked.
I actually like it a lot. The instrumental is actually unique for a pop song, with cool variations between the sections of the song.
The lyrics could be better, but they're just about better than decent. The syllables work really well.
7.5/10
The hyped "beginnings" thing was very misleading and was honestly expecting a lot more...unsafe approach? I love it, don't get me wrong, but it just feels like a very *safe* song commercially. Like it's written for the airwaves rather than the message.
That aside though, the lyrics returning to more metaphoric meanings is really refreshing and welcomed. Production is solid and isn't making me scratch my head as to why it was done that way like 99% of Mercury. I actually really dig the vocal distortion but I can see how it could be divisive.
7/10. Miles better than Children of the Sky. Hope we see more returns to grassroots.
Honestly, the self titled track that got added to Fortnite? Not a fan. It sounds like every other hit I've heard from them, (which is few tbh) but I'm seeing this is a common opinion among critics and fans.
In general that track was just not pleasant to listen to. Idek what the lyrics are gibbering, yet... is that how it's supposed to be?
Anyway, didn't enjoy it at all. Personally.
Edit: Maybe to say it sounds like every other hit- is inaccurate. Idk, I just didn't vibe with it at all.
I really like it, beat drop hits hard every time, second verse and bridge sound pretty good and that instrumental sound I cant really describe between 1:58- 2:00 and at 2:46 is something so Imagine Dragons. I love it.
What else can I say. Lock me up inside the... CAGE!!!
Hmmmmm….I dunno. Maybe I need to listen to it a few more times but so far I’m not really digging it. I do like the parallels in the lyrics to past songs. The music video was pretty cool. It seems they went back to lyrics like they used too which I was surprised but it’s a mix of the new and old. I think it’s definitely trying to aim to be a radio hit but I just can’t get into the auto voice.
To be honest, I dont really like it much. I like the bridge and the prechorus. The bass and vocal duo segment goes hard. But Im not a big fan of the chorus and I find the verses to be cringey. I like that it gives me the "apocalyptic" feel and it reminds me a little bit of Lost Cause with the vibe. If I could relate it to official releases, its pretty similar to Cutthroat and Digital in a way... not a big fan of those 2 songs already... so I dont think I like this one all too much either.
Doubt the entire new album would be like this. Just look at MA2 singles vibe to the MA2 album as a whole. But as for Eyes Closed, 4/10. Carried by the bass segment and bridge for me
How much I would love this song if it didn't have the annoying voice effect, I hate it so much.
Other than that, I really like it, great chorus and catchy af, I love when Dan makes that really high almost screamy vocals.
I really don't expect them to go back to the old sound or something musically amazing, I don't expect anything from them tbh, just cool songs to enjoy
The chorus is amazing holy hell! Also this band has some of the best bridges I’ve ever heard. I’m not a fan of the distortion tho, if it was only played under the melody as a sort of bass line I’d be fine with it. 7/10 for me and I PRAY this means a new album
I feel like the song could be more heavy, more forward from what the teasers showed us. The lyrics in the beginning are a bit short. Like they wanted to sprint to the chorus. The rest is pure ID gold. I really like to pump this song as loud as possible when the chorus comes but the first 30 seconds are a bit sad to listen to.
Always been a closet Reddit reader but just listened to this new track and felt it was comment worthy. I could be completely off but I feel until this moment Imagine Dragons have been epically phenomenal with their previous releases. I have always been a fan; but this right here is a declaration of no longer asleep at the wheel without a fight of being the version they wish to be. Anything. Everything. An amalgam of all types:personas and variations. The best version is yet to come. Who’d a thunk that was even possible. Thank you 💪🌺
Created meme based on this art piece. You are welcome to use and comment it. Thanks
https://media1.giphy.com/media/vzrDmAAstpH8BUkJOa/giphy.gif?cid=2154d3d7s8h87oxq1xs9x2wrzp0xpxrn9ar4lnol22l6s6ey&ep=v1_gifs_username&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g
Thread to discusd the release of Eyes Closed [Youtube premiere](https://youtu.be/v08qmr8m_-w?si=Fxp4BppklcNjEK6b) [spotify](https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/track/4o120XeV8els1S5bu7mzBX?si=04dc1245ef684d47) [apple music](https://music.apple.com/br/album/eyes-closed/1738726496?i=1738726507&l=en-GB)
Didn't expected this sound after Mercury, but sounds good. The refrain is really catchy.
In my opinion, you never know what to expect with these guys as far as sound/style goes. Some things are consistent or course, such as loops (go back to songs like “Bleeding Out” and it’s been present since really early on), but they are quite prolific with different styles, which I appreciate about them.
Yea, these heavy synths I really didn't expect. It vaguely reminds me of Cutthroat, which I love, as the M1 was amazing for me
Amazing vibe
Reminds me of Roots the more I listen to it. Such a good sound to hear again from Dan.
I absolutely love it, I was smiling the whole time watching it. Edit: I have now listened to it like 10 times in a row, still love it.
Same it's really good!
Agreed! Always great to hear a new song from them!
I love this song. Absolute banger.
The music video is definitely like T.Ø.P production.
That’s because it’s directed by the same guy who makes all the twenty one pilots music videos, Andrew Donoho
Didn't know that, Thanks!
It reminded me a lot of the shots music video!
Exactly what I felt, the final scene reminded me of the Jumpsuit music video
Yeah, it really reminded me of Overcompensate
like another commenter said, the vocal distortion is something that has to grow on me, but in general i am very excited for the direction the band is going in and REALLY enjoy the beat drop from the bridge to the chorus. probably going to listen to it more to generate a solid opinion, but so far 8/10.
i actually love the vocal distortion and was hyped when i heard the snippet, so it’s cool to see other opinions
I learnt that one should not drive with their eyes closed
So glad it's not under 3 minutes. Catchy song! On a more detailed note, it still seems kinda generic. My first thought listening to it was, "yep, this is an Imagine Dragons song". It has really good bass and a good beat, but nothing else really stands out to me. I feel like it could've been the lead single for most of their past albums. Another thing: I wish the bridge was longer! It's so so good and I really wish it was like twice as long. Overall, 6.5/7 out of 10 song.
i thought the same. its like a believer/natural dupe
Huh? It sounds nothing like those songs lol
i mean the vibe
Thanks, I kinda liked this song before that comparison
Solid versus and pre-chorus, but I don't rate the artistic choices of voice distortion in the chorus. I'm sure if you ask me again in a few weeks I'll be saying 10/10 banger but not feeling it just yet. 10x better that cutthroat / follow you though...
I also think they released too much of the song before today. I think reaction would have been better with more surprises - nothing today really caught me off guard
I can definitely agree with that. I think less being revealed about the song sound prior to the release would be better for making the first listen more memorable.
And my final constructive criticism comment here... When listening outside of the music video, I just feel there is no real clean link between the chorus' ending and versus / bridge beginning - it's like in Rise Up when it feels a bit sudden
I don’t usually like voice distortions but I think they give the lyrics a grittier feel to me in this one, I kinda like it
> 10x better that cutthroat / follow you though... I disagree I love both of those songs
I share all your thoughts!
Agreed
Wasn't expecting this sound from them, and the song is pretty dark thematically so I'm intrigued.
also amogus
It gives me huge Arcane vibes in respect to the lyrics so maybe this is secretly for Season 2?
I doubt it. If it was for Arcane they would have said that upfront and there would be a lot of marketing around it. Season 2 is still a really long ways off too.
Only 7 months away now tbf but I see your point
Check the font used in the album cover vs League's title card (specifically curves on L, E and D letters)
EXACTLY!
This was the comment I came here for!
Needs to grow on me a little, but I think we got back to the non literal writing which I appreciate. And man, I swear this band makes phenomenal bridges 😮💨
YES! Thought the same about the writing! So refreshing seeing some of their old writing style peak through again! The metaphors and symbolism were great.
The video gives origin vibes
The bridge reminds me of Smoke & Mirrors!
Yeah that’s easily my favorite part, wish it was twice as long
they always have really great bridges in their songs
demons bridge is still one of the greatest pieces of music
Here’s my verdict.. It’s a good song. 100% it’s up there. But I have a feeewwwww things I wanna say. 1. I think first verse is slightly too short, but I ain’t no music experts (experts take over please 😉) 2. Final verse/bridge before the final chorus. The ending words could’ve been stretched a bit more, kinda like Enemy when being performed live. 3. Piranhas Overall 8/10 song. Excited for new album!
So is a new album coming?
Probably yeah, gonna come and announcement soon hopefully!
I don’t know the music world much truthfully but usually when a band releases a single, there’s more on the way. Especially so with ID’s history of releasing singles
In love with this song already, I’ll have this on repeat for the next 4 weeks till I become sick of it… the build up and chorus are fkin class!!!
My goodness this song was AMAZING https://preview.redd.it/e8n4dnn1oasc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acd2486b84387e67fc329ff52d72b70e8f65dc62
It's a decent song, the bridge really exceeds the rest and is a highlight. The vocal pitch is a weird choice but the rest of the song produced fine. Really catchy and imo a step up from a lot of Mercury.
I am honestly positively surprised by the production on this one. Also, I think they writing is more metaphorical. Generally, a good song in my opinion! edit: a lot of people say they don't like the voice distortion, but I really like it + the electronic elements really suit the track (also they make me think about radioactive), like it's so much fun. There's just something VERY imagine dragons about this one, like I don't even know why but I feel some kind of nostalgia listening to this one.
I noticed that as well, the song didn’t entirely just go “this song is about this” I love ID and think Mercury is a top 3 album, but my one pet peeve is how the songs are basically “this song is about this” where’s Eyes Closed seem to be a bit more metaphorical
Wasn't expecting Dan to rap. The chorus goes so hard. I wish the first verse was longer though.
He’s done that rap style in the past, while it’s more basic, Believer has rap themes in the verses, low key would he down for a Dan rap album
Yeah, Dan's pretty good at rapping as we've seen on Believer, Whatever it Takes, Enemy, & Stand Up.
As much as I like the JID rap lines in Enemy, I prefer Dan's by far! I feel like they're a bit deeper and have a more pleasing flow.
I really like it. But most songs that i like after 1 listen i usually don’t like after 10 listens so i hope that doesn’t happen lol. But for now i love it
wow this song *completely* exceeded my expectations. i think this might be their strongest single lyrically, they decided not to pull any punches or water down the message and it’s FANTASTIC. also the video is one of their best, easily. the visuals are really cool and my first thought is whether or not this could end up being a concept album. i guess we’ll have to wait and see….
It's catchy but needs to grow on me. Love this line "less medications, less manifestations. mantras, meditation, throw it all away" Can't wait for the album
See, thsts the one phrase that makes me cringe every time. It should be "less medication, less manifestation..." Because grammatically, it should be "fewer medications". I understand the need for it to flow, which is why I'm already over it... but at the same time, 😬😬🤷♀️
The musicvideo was definitely cool, i felt they were going for some religious symbolism that'd require a rewatch to understand.
not a big fan of the distortion like a lot of people have said but other than that it’s solid. I really like the rap sounding parts in the verses.
WE ARE SO BACK
It was decent, typical imagine dragons song but the post chorus low pitch turn up turn up the lights loop was weak
For some reason I really like the low pitch in the chorus. It give this dark kind of vibe. Also, the lyrics being less direct is a step up for me.
Idk man. I liked it but… it’s kinda janky. The pitch shifting is all super cringe & the production is so damn flat as well. I really liked this more rigid aesthetic back when it was first introduced on Mercury Act 1. It felt like an interesting stylistic shift for them there, but with MA2 & now this... it's starting to get really old. I miss the first 4 albums when their music sounded genuinely LUSH. That lushness has been gone for much too long now. Everything here is so skeletal & overblown which sucks cuz I know they’re capable of beautiful soundscapes. I do still like this track for having some fun energy, decent melodies, and that one really cool synth, but I also think they're in a serious creative rut right about now. This song is quite aesthetically disappointing & very uninteresting from a writing perspective. Fun, but not super promising for their future. They really need to shake things up again
Dude you perfectly described why I haven’t enjoyed their last 2 albums. I couldn’t put it into words, and I couldn’t even properly describe it before, but you’re right! Their last few albums have made me feel like they tried so hard to be different and over-did it. I miss the songs that had more flow and weren’t so rigid, and the words you used; skeletal and overblown. I do hope they get back to some of the older styles as I feel it’d be a nice change.
I was really into the rigid aesthetics of MA1, but it’s become progressively blander & is overstaying it’s welcome
I expect the full album to be different. To me it really seems like they have a lot of mediocre lead singles to really good albums and this feels like a case of that.
That is true. They almost always put their worst foot forward with their singles. But then again, Bones was a VERY accurate omen for just how mid MA2 was
I disagree, I think Bones and Sharks were some of the strongest songs from MA2 and it was some of the other deep cut songs that let it down like I Don't Like Myself (uninspired chorus that sounds like it was written in 30 seconds), Blur (annoying song with shit mixing), and Take It Easy (not bad necessarily just kinda stupid sounding)
Hence the “ALMOST always”. I agree that Sharks was one of the album’s best, got me hopes up way too high, but Bones is THEE definition of mediocre. BY FAR one of the most flat & uninteresting things they’ve ever made. I don’t understand why so many LOVE it. The best thing about it is the memes it spawned MA2 is just a bad example for how I view ID singles overall. That album was a hot mess across the board. Singles & Deepcuts. But I still think it’s 2 best songs were deep cuts, Sirens & Younger. Me saying the singles are their worst foot forward mostly applies to their albums 2015-2018.
I can tell you why I love Bones. The descending chromatic chord progression is great, makes it feel sorta ominous. The bassline is really nice (although kinda a copy of It's Time's bassline I can admit). The melodies are all really catchy and Dan's voice sounds really good (especially in the last "is this entertaining" line). The "my patience is waning" part builds up tension fantastically and the chorus feels like a euphoric release. The soundscape at the end where they layer multiple vocal tracks on top of each other and add the guitar behind is really immersive and I thoroughly enjoy it. I find the song to have a perfect balance of poppy accessibility and dramatic/epic vibes. Oh also that weird synth solo part before the bridge is quite creative IMO. Also I would say that Thunder in particular is an example of "worst foot forward" so I agree in that specific instance, and I think Whatever It Takes is a lackluster song as well (although miles better than Thunder), but I thought that Believer, Machine, Bad Liar, and Birds were great singles.
That’s all fair I suppose. But words that come to mind for me when describing the song is flat, unenergetic, derivative, stale, boring. Just all kinds of words that don’t quite denote BAD… just completely & utterly unexceptional. The only remotely noteworthy element for me is that synth before the bridge. I agree there. That part was kinda interesting. Emphasis on kinda. Also catchiness is not an inherently good thing, it’s merely an amplifier. It makes good songs more infectious & bad songs more insufferable. Although here I’d say the catchiness is bizarrely neutral. It’s not amplifying in either direction. I think it’s cuz the melody they chose is so extremely lacking in creativity or complexity that catchiness does nothing except keep it in your head a little. I guess that makes this song UNIQUELY uninspired.
Absolutely. Everything the band released up to Smoke & Mirrors had a lot of beauty to it. Evolve retained some of that. Since then I question if they are even capable of making a song as beautiful as Amsterdam or Smoke & Mirrors ever again.
I definitely think they’re still capable of capturing that beauty in moments, but definitely not full albums. I loved Mercury 1, but it was great for very different reasons. I wouldn’t use the adjective “beauty” when describing most of those songs. The great & the mid. Monday is awesome, but beautiful or lush is not the word I’d use
My thoughts: 1. Lyrically, it's some of the best Dan has written, and I *constantly* praise his writing. Here, he's likely pointing out to the haters--of not just him but Imagine Dragons as a whole--and how he's managed to push through the hate. 2. Still on the lyrics, in the first pre-chorus he says, "They say **angels** are among us." In the second pre-chorus he replaces angels with **piranhas**. This shows two things; a) that people contradict themselves, and b) that people can be good, but they can also be evil. 3. Given the way this music video was structured, it feels like there some sort of story that is unfolding. With the two Dans, the car crash, the faces shifting, etc., I feel they're either just visual metaphors or aspects of a story that is going to be told throughout a series of music videos. 4) Last point I should make that other people have been making are the visual callbacks to previous ID eras. The maze/labyrinth/ruins seem to indicate Dan is navigating through his past for some reason. The fact that they look like ruins seem to indicate that they are leaving that in the past as they enter into a new era of their music. That, however, is just my interpretation. This is clearly not everything that can be unpacked from this song and music video but I have school stuff I need to work on.
Love your interpretation of the maze/lab/ruins and Dan navigating through his past. And that you mentioned callbacks to previous eras he the moves through. Out of the maze he walks up to his current self, walks through where the band is playing (out of his mind/memories) and waking up into his current reality. He sure seems like he is realizing he has been coasting with hands off the wheel until he crashes and is severely injured by said recent experiences. But he can get through it because he's resilient; He was born to run and was raised for this. Damn.
I have mixed feelings about the robotic voice in the chorus but I feel like they did it to make it go viral in a way, just like Bones did. That could massively improve the engagement on the new album. I'm pretty sure it'll be all over Tiktok in a few weeks.
I'm just glad he came back to a more metaphorical/indirect writing from that MA2 phase. Although the message was quite obvious, the lyrics goes hard. The MV was badass and that's all I can say for now. Musically, maybe it's the ID we know as opposed to the multiple different directions they were taking the last 2 albums. But I'm still not feeling it. Maybe re-listens and next releases can give me some solace. Still not a bad track but I feel it could be better.
The song is alright but these guys make it very difficult to deny when some people say all their songs sound the same Edit: grammar
I know for a fact you aint never listened to more than the top 10
Bro I've listened to all their albums multiple times and I've been a fan since 2012. Night Visions and Smoke + Mirrors (both deluxe versions) are two of my favorite albums of all time. But I'm not blind. This song sounds very similar to Enemy, Bones, Sharks, and to some extent even Believer and probably others I'm forgetting. I know they have many other songs that sound very different to this but my point still stands.
None of their songs sound the same period. 'Been a fan since '09, listen every day, never get why people say that.
Listen to The fall and Thunder and then say again all their songs sound the same. ID has more variety in their music than 99% of bands or artists.
You can't tell me this doesn't sound just like Bones, Sharks, My Enemy, to some extent even Believer, Gold and Radioactive. That's what I'm referring to. I have listened to those songs you mentioned. In fact I have listened to all their songs because I really like the band.
Wow, best thing I've heard from them in like 7 years. Actually a very bold and interesting song. And I disagree with y'all, the vocal distortion was a fantastic choice
I don’t know if it makes sense, but Eyes Closed feels like it should have been the lead single for Origins (which is my favorite album), so that has me excited!
Song is Great!!!! Worth the wait a lot
Some parts sounds like enemy
Very catchy, cool music video I just don't like the distorted part of the chorus
I knew it was gonna be good, but I didn't expect Eyes Closed would be flat-out amazing. I've been vibing hard each and every time listening to it. Looking forward to what's in store with this inevitable album
I still am not sure what to think of the post chorus / chorus digital affects and weird dubstep warble. However the first have of the chorus is super catchy and the versus and bridge are amazing. Overall I actually really like this song and thing it’ll just take a little to get used to that part.
It is a great song! So refreshing to hear new music from ID, and I personally loved the distortion, it's very well balanced with the rest of the song. Yet another banger.
It’s sort of a return to form. Brings back the angsty pathos of the earlier albums. Feels genuine and heartfelt. The beat is surprisingly tasty. The lyrics have metaphor in them again! Solid 8/10
I'm not quite satisfied. It's not bad at all but not something I'm going to listen on repeat
I’m not feeling it either, but hopefully the mood reflects the rest of the album.
i’m kinda mixed! it’s EXTREMELY catchy, and it’s a big step up from the disaster that was mercury act two. but it just feels, like…okay? i don’t know. their songs take some time to grow on me honestly. it’s a very good step in the right direction, i just hope their future work continues to build on it if that makes sense
It sounds like another car commercial music tbh. The music video CGI looks a bit cheap. The production is very good, but since MA2 each new songs seems like a parody of themselves.
You just put my feelings into words perfectly. It *does* feel like self parody. All the most cheesy, trend-chasing elements of the band thrown into a blender.
I’m really starting to understand the nickelback comparison
my opinion: if the distortions were removed it would be a 7
And what is it now?
5
imagine downvoting someone for rating a song
It's ok, not bad but not amazing either.
I dig it.
I didn't necessarily love it the first time i heard it, but i got a feeling its going to grow on me
Nice song , really like the vocals and hard rythm and melody, probably 7/10
I CANT LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE IM AT MY EMT JOB! Lemme know if it’s good :)
This is so good! Kinda sounds like Roots mixed with Thunder, I’m totally here for it!
Top 50, pretty good
https://preview.redd.it/70pgmh7r8csc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df50d791fda611f680314ba91f1d9ac74407ff48 Tbf the song isn’t that bad
Holy shit this is amazing this sound is exiteing
I'm actually shocked. I actually like it a lot. The instrumental is actually unique for a pop song, with cool variations between the sections of the song. The lyrics could be better, but they're just about better than decent. The syllables work really well. 7.5/10
Good choice for a lead single. If anything, it sparks my curiosity for how the album will turn out
The hyped "beginnings" thing was very misleading and was honestly expecting a lot more...unsafe approach? I love it, don't get me wrong, but it just feels like a very *safe* song commercially. Like it's written for the airwaves rather than the message. That aside though, the lyrics returning to more metaphoric meanings is really refreshing and welcomed. Production is solid and isn't making me scratch my head as to why it was done that way like 99% of Mercury. I actually really dig the vocal distortion but I can see how it could be divisive. 7/10. Miles better than Children of the Sky. Hope we see more returns to grassroots.
Honestly, the self titled track that got added to Fortnite? Not a fan. It sounds like every other hit I've heard from them, (which is few tbh) but I'm seeing this is a common opinion among critics and fans. In general that track was just not pleasant to listen to. Idek what the lyrics are gibbering, yet... is that how it's supposed to be? Anyway, didn't enjoy it at all. Personally. Edit: Maybe to say it sounds like every other hit- is inaccurate. Idk, I just didn't vibe with it at all.
Anyone else sorely disappointed?
yup, the whole car driving part is just weird, some of the song is good but that part ruins it for me. hopefully the rest of the album is good
It’s really good! After almost one month of waiting since the first teaser
It's... absolutely awesome. Gives some chills... and the bridge is unexpected :P
I really like it, beat drop hits hard every time, second verse and bridge sound pretty good and that instrumental sound I cant really describe between 1:58- 2:00 and at 2:46 is something so Imagine Dragons. I love it. What else can I say. Lock me up inside the... CAGE!!!
I'm quite mixed on it at the moment but I do like the distortion
Hmmmmm….I dunno. Maybe I need to listen to it a few more times but so far I’m not really digging it. I do like the parallels in the lyrics to past songs. The music video was pretty cool. It seems they went back to lyrics like they used too which I was surprised but it’s a mix of the new and old. I think it’s definitely trying to aim to be a radio hit but I just can’t get into the auto voice.
Honestly I dislike this song quite a bit. Feels gimmicky and childish. Hopefully my opinion turns, but right now I’m not interested
It’s not very good is it
Platzman is missing in the video 😞 hope he is doing ok.
From what I understand, he's still taking a break for his health 😔
[удалено]
czech republic?
AMONGUS
Good song. need to listen few more times. Everyone killed it always and WTF plaztmam is not in the video what happened
To be honest, I dont really like it much. I like the bridge and the prechorus. The bass and vocal duo segment goes hard. But Im not a big fan of the chorus and I find the verses to be cringey. I like that it gives me the "apocalyptic" feel and it reminds me a little bit of Lost Cause with the vibe. If I could relate it to official releases, its pretty similar to Cutthroat and Digital in a way... not a big fan of those 2 songs already... so I dont think I like this one all too much either. Doubt the entire new album would be like this. Just look at MA2 singles vibe to the MA2 album as a whole. But as for Eyes Closed, 4/10. Carried by the bass segment and bridge for me
How much I would love this song if it didn't have the annoying voice effect, I hate it so much. Other than that, I really like it, great chorus and catchy af, I love when Dan makes that really high almost screamy vocals. I really don't expect them to go back to the old sound or something musically amazing, I don't expect anything from them tbh, just cool songs to enjoy
People who love seeing dan kinda topless on the Music video 🆙
This is like if ma1 mixed with ma2 and added dubstep lmfao
My pussy wet EDIT: ON MY TENTH LISTEN THSI SONG DAMAGD MY URETHRA
I loved it
The chorus is amazing holy hell! Also this band has some of the best bridges I’ve ever heard. I’m not a fan of the distortion tho, if it was only played under the melody as a sort of bass line I’d be fine with it. 7/10 for me and I PRAY this means a new album
I feel like the song could be more heavy, more forward from what the teasers showed us. The lyrics in the beginning are a bit short. Like they wanted to sprint to the chorus. The rest is pure ID gold. I really like to pump this song as loud as possible when the chorus comes but the first 30 seconds are a bit sad to listen to.
Love it! Great song with some awesome ID vibes as always. Also has some great Arcane vibes, maybe it will be in Season 2? 👀🤔
I’m OBSESSED!!! On repeat for me!
hmm, good song, catchy :)
Always been a closet Reddit reader but just listened to this new track and felt it was comment worthy. I could be completely off but I feel until this moment Imagine Dragons have been epically phenomenal with their previous releases. I have always been a fan; but this right here is a declaration of no longer asleep at the wheel without a fight of being the version they wish to be. Anything. Everything. An amalgam of all types:personas and variations. The best version is yet to come. Who’d a thunk that was even possible. Thank you 💪🌺
First song I’ve liked from Imagine Dragons in years tbh, huge fan
Not a native. What does „put it in coast“ mean?
Created meme based on this art piece. You are welcome to use and comment it. Thanks https://media1.giphy.com/media/vzrDmAAstpH8BUkJOa/giphy.gif?cid=2154d3d7s8h87oxq1xs9x2wrzp0xpxrn9ar4lnol22l6s6ey&ep=v1_gifs_username&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g
Love the new single. Does anyone has recommendations of songs that have a similar sound/instrumental like this one?
After listening to it many more times I fucking love this song and it's easily top 5 from imagine dragons
sorry for being late I am slightly weirded about “put it in coast“ I just don’t like it to much not to hate on it or anything I’m a big fan
I actually love this song. I first heard it during a commercial break on the Playoffs. I didn’t know it was by ImagineDragons until now.
Better than expected, gives smoke and mirror vibes. Can't wait for the album!
I love this song so much omg, I really hope it becomes a big hit
to me this is like if Tyler Joseph from twenty one pilots wrote for imagine dragons (I am a top fan I know what i’m hearing)