Released:
Rating: ★★★★
Seemingly energised from their triumphant Glastonbury 2019 headliner and liberated by the political awakening of standalone single ‘Land of the Free’, 21st-century heroes The Killers have left Las Vegas and torn up their rulebook on ‘Imploding the Mirage’. An array of guest vocalists and a new production team have set Flowers and co.’s imaginations free after five years treading water creatively. While the songwriting is instantly recognisable, this time around, everything packs more of a punch.
Opener ‘My Own Soul’s Warning’ is trademark Flowers, sprightly synths and booming choruses begging to be chanted in festival fields. ‘Blowback’ evokes Fleetwood Mac’s knack for melody, with Lyndsey Buckingham later popping up on the anthemic single ‘Caution’ for a thrilling guitar solo.
Continuing their knack of perfect lead singles (all hail ‘The Man’), ‘Caution’ is a solid addition to the Killers’ swollen stadium setlist, for which new releases primarily exist to serve. ‘Fire in Bone’ cruises over a funky groove from secret weapon Mark Stoermer on bass, before Weyes Blood, kd lang and Lucius bring heavenly harmonies to the military beat of ‘My God’, “Don’t talk to me about forgiveness, my god, look who’s back in business.” Indeed.
There’s a fervour in the delivery of these songs that’s been somewhat missing since 2008’s weird and wonderful ‘Day and Age’. While unlikely to rank as most people’s favourite Killers record, this is certainly the most vital the band have sounded in a decade. By moving out of Vegas and opening themselves up to collaborators, The Killers end up bringing it all back home.
Dillon Eastoe
