Imagine Dragons are a hit machine! The challenge at this stage of the bands journey is to try and do something different, yet not alienate their fans in the process.

Although “Wrecked” definitely sounds like an Imagine Dragons song, they have done some soul searching, dug deep and given us a glimpse into the dark, by exploring this heavy theme of loss.

For the most part, Imagine Dragons have stuck to their winning formulae; Simple chord progressions, their signature guitar sound (chords without bass notes), strong bass drum and snare percussion with accents of clicks and claps, catchy melodies and that big one thousand voice type vocal hook/chorus.

One notable difference is in the pre chorus, where they’ve opted to use a multi-vocal harmony. The harmonies are clever and complex and give the song a clear point of contrast. The pre chorus builds nicely and allows Dan Reynolds to shout and drive his vocals in the chorus for maximum emotional effect.

The chorus/hook is exactly what we’ve become accustomed to from listening to Imagine Dragons previous mega hits. A huge sound with multiple vocal overlays giving the effect of a thousand voices singing along together.

Lyrically, the song is a painful reflection on people you’ve lost and the hole they leave in your life. Highly emotional and confronting, wrecked is a song the fans will no doubt be able to connect with.

You’ve got to applaud Imagine Dragons here for doing something different, tackling the theme of losing loved ones is no easy task.

Wrecked is not a feel-good stadium Anthem, however it’s an important step for the band to show some diversity in sound and courageously switch direction.

I like how Imagine Dragons chose to finish off the song by using their pre chorus. This is the most interesting part of the song, it’s a hook in and of itself, the focal point of the song which encapsulates its entire meaning.

One of my favourite things to do is to take a look at the fans reactions and comments on new songs. If you scan through the comments on the official Imagine Dragons YouTube page, you’ll see just how much fans are connecting with the emotion on this one. Incredibly moving.

Author: Rob Costa

Rob Costa is a freelance writer & Ghost songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Rob helps us out with music reviews.