Today, I am going to be reviewing Origins by Imagine Dragons, a band I have loved since their debut album, Night Visions. This album has been anticipated by me since the release of Natural, where it become one of my all time favourite tracks by the indie rockers. But what was the rest of this album like for me?

Track 1 – Natural

As you probably guessed from my intro, this song sat with me really well. It was something heavier than a few of what they’d previously released, and I was so into it. The constant progression and delivery of this song really stood out, and it was nice to hear decent music being played on the radio for once. Definitely a track that will stay a fave for a long time. 9 /10

Track 2 – Boomerang

This is one of those songs that you hear and you think, “ah, yes, that’s clearly Imagine Dragons”. The combination of Dan Reynold’s incredible vocals, and the rest of the bands instrumentation, it’s a very memorable song. Not to mention that it’s super catchy with pretty sad lyrics. I feel like it’s probably one of those songs where you have to be in the mood to listen to. 7/10

Track 3 – Machine

Wow this song was good. This feels kinda like a “call of arms” song, that pushes the boundaries a bit (‘Cause I’ve been wondering, When you gonna see I’m not for sale) and it’s gonna be one that sticks in your mind throughout this album. Don’t even get me started on how perfect the guitars were, I mean, I knew Wayne Sermon was good, but this song highlights the guitars flawlessly. 9/10

Track 4 – Cool Out

The first of the more “laid-back” songs of the album, and it’s pretty chilled song. Whether or not it will stick with you or not is down to personal preferences, but for me, I wasn’t that big on the chorus, in the way Reynold’s voice sort of blended with the instrumental. Having said that, it is not in any way the worst on the album. 7/10

Track 5 – Bad Liar

And the award for the best song on Origins goes to…. Bad Liar, obviously, since you know, this paragraph is under the title name.. Anyway, this emotional song had me thinking about it even after the album finished. This song is so emotional, and this is best shown in the chorus, in which Reynolds shouts out “But I’m a bad liar, bad liar” from his heart. Now who turned the waterworks on? Who’s cutting onions? We need to talk. 10/10

Track 6 – West Coast

This is very different from the rest of the album, and feels like it could be a b-side from their 2015 album, Smoke + Mirrors. This is a nice contrast from the heart-hitting songs heard previously, that gives off a folk/country/indie vibe, and they pull it off well. This song is kinda generic though, and personally, not a favourite from them. 6/10

Track 7 – Zero

Not gonna lie, I wasn’t such a big fan of this song when it dropped. I forgot about it for a while after it’s release, but after listening back to it, it’s not bad at all. Considering it is from the movie Ralph Breaks The Internet, they had to make a song friendly for a family movie, and they’ve done exactly that, but kept to their roots, which is rare for some bands, *cough cough* Fall Out Boy *cough cough*. 7/10

Track 8 – Bullet In A Gun

In my notes when I first listened to this song, I put “not bad, just not really my thing, maybe after a few listens” and boy, was I right. After hearing it a few times, I realised that it wasn’t all that bad. I feel like the chorus could’ve been done a different way, but I know it’s not for everyone. Can i just say though, that bridge is one of the best thing’s I’ve ever heard, and totally makes this song. The lyrics for a start (You only care about fame and wealth, Sellout, sellout, sellout) just speak the truth, and the way Reynold’s just belts out that scream on the final “sellout” like, damn that man is a legend. 7/10

Track 9 – Digital

Joint fave with Bad Liar. This song just proves that sometimes, repetitive lyrics are a good thing. This goes pretty hard, and again features a slight scream from the frontman, even though it’s more of a pained/emotional scream compared to a hard rock one, it still gives the same impact. Get’s stuck in your head like crazy though, so if you’re like me and get songs replaying in your mind easily, you’ve been warned. 10/10

Track 10 – Only

We love a good summery type anthem. This is clearly one of their more radio friendly songs, but that doesn’t make it a bad song, obviously. Lyrics are sweet (It’s just you and me, Only, Throwing out the key) and the beat drop is something unexpected from Imagine Dragons, yet it works with them well. I’ll probably be slaughtered for this, but definitely gives off a Chainsmokers vibe, and with that said, let’s move on. 8/10

Track 11 – Stuck

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ballady tune, but I feel like this is just one of those songs you have to be in the mood to listen to. Like, the lyricism couldn’t have been better like, woah it’s relatable as heck, but I wouldn’t be able to listen to it without it making my day more sad (I teared up listening to it like, dude no, stop). It’s still a great song though. 7/10

Track 12 – Love

Another song about love that screams the truth (not literally though, it’s a chill bop), but it isn’t about a typical relationship gone wrong or anything. It’s about the world in its current state. (All we see is faces, color, color, All the other races, other, other, Why can’t you just be my brother, brother?, We don’t have to kill one another, kill one another,
All around the world, we are one). Even though the lyrics are great, it isn’t one of my favourites. 8/10

Track 13 – Birds

This is probably my least favourite from the album. It has grown on me more after listening to it, and I say it again, it’s not a bad song, just not what I was expecting. Lyrics are well executed though, even if I did find them generic at first, but that was before properly analysing them. 6/10

Track 14 – Burn Out

This album has taken a very chill turn starting from Stuck, and I love the contrast and the progression throughout this album. I didn’t think I was going to like this song from the first 30 seconds, however I actually really like it! It’s oddly addicting and Reynold’s falsetto, like, that man can do everything. I feel like this is a song that’ll get everyone to put their lighters and phone torches up at a concert and I want to be a part of that. (Imagine Dragons, if you’re reading this, PLEASE COME TO NORWICH!) 8/10

Track 15 – Real Life

This song has such a typical Imagine Dragons sound and it’s almost nostalgic for some reason. Almost makes me sad that this album is over. The lyrics reflect real life (well duh), (So I said, “Turn your phone off, only look me in my eyes, Can we live that real life, real life?”). Reminds me of people at concerts who film the entire thing and just stare at their cameras. Kind of hypocritical of me to say that, as I film at concerts, but only in snippets for memories, but the visual memory will always remain the best. Perfect ending to the album, and after listening to it a few more times, is also another favourite. 9/10

Overall:

Origins really impressed me. I feel as though their albums just keep on getting better, and this is just one of the reasons why they’re one of my favourite bands. Stand out songs to me, include Machine, Bad Liar and Digital. Honestly, they should try to make a bad album, I dare them. This is definitely up there with one of their best. 

OVERALL RANKING: 8/10

Welcome to my first album review! For my debut, I decided to review the highly anticipated album, Simulation Theory, by rock legends Muse.

This is an album that I have been looking forward to, ever since Thought Contagion came out (we don’t talk about Dig Down..). Muse was one of the many bands that I was raised on, and they have such amazing delivery on all their albums. They never failed to disappoint. However, what was this album like? How did it sit with a long-term Muse fan? Let’s find out.

Track 1 – Algorithm

Muse open the album with Algorithm, an 80’s sounding song with a super spacey feel. Now, there’s one thing you should know about me – I strongly dislike long intros. Having said that, this song has a 1:36 intro, and as much as it is nice to listen to, I just prefer songs that go straight in, or has an intro about 15 seconds or less. As we get into the song, we instantly get a clear idea of what this album is going to be. Now, whether that’s a good or a bad thing, it’s up to you. The vocals are amazing, as usual, (I mean, what do you expect from Matt Bellamy?) and the instrumentation is very pleasing to listen to with headphones. In terms of lyrics, as limited as they are in this opening track, (We are caged in simulations) have deep meaning. Overall I would rate this a 7/10.

Track 2 – The Dark Side

Not gonna lie, when I first heard this song, I didn’t care for it at all. I just thought it was a bit generic. After a few listens it really grew on me. Yes this is Muse, but it gave me a Stranger Things meets Bowie vibe. Lyrics hit really close to home, (You’d be scared living with my despair) and the emotion streaming through Bellamy’s voice is truly remarkable. 6/10

Track 3 – Pressure

This song isn’t actually that bad. I understand why some people won’t like it, however it’s one of those songs that you’ll listen to once and not care for it, and then you’ll pick it back up a month later and think “hey, it’s not all that bad”. I feel like the guitars define this song, and for me are the best on this song compared to the entire album. I’m not the biggest fan of the pre-chorus, and could’ve probably been stronger, but that’s my personal tastes showing. I do like the instrumental break though, and definitely could be a top dog on the album. 7/10

Track 4 – Propaganda

Okay, I’m gonna talk about what I thought when I first listened to this song. I really didn’t like it. The intro just did nothing for me but raise an eyebrow, and the chorus was just a bit disappointing. I feel like it had the potential to be such a heavier track, and if someone could remix this with some heavy guitars and drums, it would be so much better. Having said all that, I do like the bass line. After listening to it a few more times, I definitely don’t hate it as much, but it isn’t an amazing track. 5/10

Track 5 – Break it to Me

As soon as this song started, I knew that it was gonna be good. The almost distorted sound of the guitars did it for me, as I hadn’t experienced that type of style before, so it felt quite unique in my books. Thankfully, the goodness carried its way throughout the whole song, with the little breakdown part and the halloween-esque vibe in the instrumental. Even though I liked it from first listen, it grows on me every time I listen to it. Only criticism would be that I would’ve liked verse 2 to differ from verse 1, but again, that’s probably just me being picky. 8/10

Track 6 – Something Human

Now, where do I start with this song. This is yet another song I was unsure of at the start, that I eventually ended up loving, and as far as a typical pop song goes, it’s fairly good. As much as I don’t really like comparing bands, this definitely gives me an early Imagine Dragons vibe, and I’m all for it. Not much to say about this one compared to the others, as it’s good, but nothing totally special. 6/10

Track 7 – Thought Contagion

Just like everyone who first heard this, I wasn’t that keen on it. However, due to Kerrang, Scuzz, and MTV Rocks playing this so many times, it taught me to appreciate it. I know I should be focusing on the music rather than the video, but as a media student, I enjoyed the cinematography and special fx. The song is pretty catchy too, can get stuck in my head for hours. 5/10

Track 8 – Get Up and Fight

Best song on the album. Everything from the vocals, the lyrics, the instrumentation is perfect. Again, I don’t like comparing bands, but it was almost as though Bellamy decided to front 30 Seconds To Mars for a song (another great band I was raised on) and it’s just too good. 10/10

Track 9 – Blockades

What a tune. This is very much like a Cydonia part 2, taking it down to the ‘galloping pace’ in the instrumental, but also the slight similarity in the delivery of the vocals. Really great track, and definitely acts like a small throwback for the old Muse fans, who are still hooked on Knight’s Of Cydonia. (Let’s be real, who isn’t still hooked on that banger?) 9/10

Track 10 – Dig Down

Oh dear. Okay, here I have to talk about Dig Down. Pretty much all the songs have grown on me, however this song remains my least favourite song on this album, and probably in their entire discography. This song just kind of annoys me if I’m totally honest, and I think it’s down to the delivery of the chorus. This song frustrates me, as I am a big fan of the lyrics, yet I can’t sit through the song and enjoy them. 2/10

Track 11 – The Void

Such a good song to end an album on. This song is super vibey and the delivery of the song is also great. The way the instrumental changes up towards the end of the song is so nice to listen to with in-ear headphones, and I can feel myself listening to this a lot. Another favourite of mine. 8/10

Overall:

Is this Muses’s best album in my opinion? No. But, songs such as Break it to Me, Get Up and Fight, and Blockades get a big thumbs up from me. This album is not awful at all, and there are so many worse albums out there that I’ve listened to. In terms of the way Muse are going with their sound, I kinda dig it. Whether or not their next album will have a similar style, who can tell, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing for me.

OVERALL RANKING: 7/10