IMAGINE DRAGONS

Loom (Interscope)

Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds describes Loom as having “heavy concepts” while being “playful at the same time,” and indeed, Loom’s slightly unhinged hip-hop-rock opener Wake Up states: “Everybody’s coming for you / WAKE UP!!” The Las Vegas group’s frontman further addresses the album title and its multiple meanings: “Just because something is looming doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. It could be good…”

As an album, Loom is filled with juxtapositions – decidedly hip-hop/disco-pop, harmonious vocally filled with lyrical heartache. Pianos are as prevalent present on this album as bouncy beats. Reynolds adds distortion to his vocals on Nice To Meet You, pairing them with super catchy guitar leads to nicely pop-friendly effect.

Pick of Loom, though, is its first single Eyes Closed – an all-encompassing banger, and a hip-hop, experimental version of Imagine Dragons which will divide opinion. 

words DAVID JAMES