Imploding the Mirage

Edit 29/05/26: good god why did I rate this 93

I’ll begin this review with an unrelated note: The Killers need to fire their marketing team. The build up to the release of this album was one of the most clumsily, poorly constructed things I have ever had the displeasure to experience. It was the same with Wonderful Wonderful and honestly, it leaves the band feeling a little out of touch.

Regardless of awful marketing, this is the best thing The Killers have ever released. I’m just coming straight out with it. This is the definitive ‘The Killers’ album. Taking elements from the indie rock of their earlier material, mixing it perfectly with the heartland rock of their later material, and throwing in some perfectly constructed newer sonic elements that see funk and gospel showing up every now and then, we end up with an album that shows the listener exactly what The Killers are all about. It’s fun yet earnest, with bright and poppy instrumentation perfectly contrasting the often somber and frustrated lyrics. Vocally, Brandon Flowers sounds better than ever, whilst the bass lines across this album are nothing short of phenomenal. This feels far more like a collaborative effort than Wonderful Wonderful, and it pays off.

There are no real low points in this album. From the arena rock of ‘Caution’ and ‘My Own Soul’s Warning‘, to the slightly more stripped back but impactful ‘Dying Breed‘ and ‘Blowback’, to the absolute gem of their entire discography ‘My God’, there is so much creativity and passion here, you can’t help but find yourself singing along throughout. And yes, I’m my humble opinion, ‘My God’ is by far the best song this band has ever produced, with anthemic instrumentals melding with soaring and powerful vocals, only enhanced by the presence of the wonderful voice of Weyes Blood. This entire album is simply begging to be performed live.

That’s not to say this is a flawless album though. One glaring issue is the production. I’m not sure what exactly is wrong, but on some tracks like ‘Caution’, certain instruments sound like they’ve been recorded underwater, leaving some musical elements sadly muddied, where they should pop and fizz with the explosiveness that the album so desperately aims for. And it’s a real shame how distracting it can be, because if it wasn’t for this, the album may well have been a 99 or 100. It’s just an unforgivable flaw for such an accomplished band.

All together, if you ever wanted to get into The Killers, ‘Imploding the Mirage’ is the perfect beginners guide. It’s the definitive experience for this band, and truly a joy to listen to from start to finish.