Cover Art

For its 10th anniversary Imagine Dragons released a compilation album of 13 unreleased demos (and 1 that was released). The demos are very unique, especially considering they're supposed to be from the same time frame as Smoke + Mirrors. Releasing this compilation just made me want finished versions of these demos to be made (a couple you can REALLY tell they're demos).

Woke

I like this song, one of my favourites here, probably the most Smoke + Mirrors song on the entire album.

The Ghost Intervention

This is like if they tried to make the most dubstep song they possibly could. Not my particular style but I love seeing them experiment.

Monica

This song feels very Mercury to me similar vibes to Sharks. Lyrically feels unfinished, makes me wonder if they just reused this demo later.

Black

This one is very different from anything else they've done. It's very ambient, I like it but not much else to comment on.

Strange Ways

This one gives off LOOM or Mercury similar to the song Nice to Meet You, mixed with the synth from their EPs era.

I Get Carried Away

This is like they found a stylophone and made the most song with it. Very demo-y but what should I expect at this point.

A-OK

This one feels very LOOM, another demo I like very much.

Destroyed

I'm not sure what this reminds me of, but I like it a lot. Very unfinished, I hope to see a complete version (PLEASE)

Playin' Me

This reminds me of Wake Up. Kinda a bop I feel like I'm in a café.

My Car

I like the beginning part, the rest is. something.

Cowboy

Another one of my favourites. I love the gun click sample I think that's very cute, and the guitar riff goes crazy. 10/10

Mayday

Again, I don't have an album that this matches stylistically. I like the chorus and the bridge and that's about it.

The Journey

Once again this has strong Mercury vibes, something like It's Ok or No Time For Toxic People. Pretty good

I Bet My Life (Demo)

This was cool to see here, weirdly the only actual Smoke + Mirrors song here. Definitely a demo, the alternate bridge was also a fun surprise.

Artwork

I really like the cover art, very cool they got Tim Cantor back.

Conclusion

Woke and Cowboy are my favourites, a lot of them sound suspiciously Mercury and LOOM, and I really want them to make complete versions PLEASE!

Oh, and stop neglecting your older stuff, you should've done more with this than you did.