The Killers: Imploding the Mirage Review

In light of recent years, The Killers is not a band I would recommend as a must-listen. But that’s not to say that what they release is terrible music.

Imploding the Mirage is a modern-day Bruce Springsteen album, particularly noteable in the first track, “My Own Soul’s Warning.” While the lyrics are not always positive and happy, it is a feel-good record from a mainstream band, contributing less towards its substance and replayability. “Lightning Fields” only makes their case worse with its addition of a country artist feature (k.d. lang).

There is a hollow sound to The Killers’ music that is reminiscent of the 80s and artists like Morrissey and Rick Astley. Listening to it makes you feel like you’re the star of a movie with the booming rhythms of “Running Towards a Place” as it narrates, “Can you find heaven in a wildflower/Hold it in the palm of your hand?” It’s the perfect soundtrack to play over a long car ride, throwing “Caution” to the wind as it whips your hair violently as you scream out above the noise.

From my observations, the music scene is only becoming more and more like YouTube culture. Having featured artists to sing on a song is all fine and dandy, but there comes a time when it just doesn’t make sense outside of increasing numbers. Singer Brandon Flowers is without a doubt a brilliant singer who could easily kill the melodies of “My God,” so why pass it up with the higher vocals of Weyes Blood and interrupt the mood of the song?

The best moments on the album have to be on “Dying Breed” and “When Dreams Run Dry” – the first being a solid single from the record with its quiet vocals eventually breaking out with a bang towards the middle with the drums and guitars. The latter breaks the feel-good mirage of the record as Flowers suddenly yells, “We’re all gonna die.” The chorus is repetitive – “Again and again and again” – but the synths and the bluntness of the lyrics punches you in the face with the truth and the most interesting synths and melodies on the entire record.

Then again, if you haven’t picked up the record yet, you’re not missing much. It’s certainly got more catching elements than 2018’s Wonderful Wonderful, but in the end, nothing can beat the unique sound of Hot Fuss. And if you ask me, the members of The Killers are wasting their talents and potential on these recent albums.

Rating: 6.3/10