Basic Attendance
Working with forced the band to strip away their usual "dense metaphors". Rubin pushed Reynolds to be more direct and honest, leading to lyrics that critics have called some of the most "unfiltered" of his career.
Released initially in September 2021, Act 1 focuses on the immediacy of death and the "shell-shocked" feelings that follow. It includes the massive hit "Enemy" (featuring JID) from the Arcane soundtrack and the gut-wrenching "Wrecked" , written about the passing of Reynolds' sister-in-law.
The album is divided into two distinct narrative arcs that reflect frontman Dan Reynolds' personal journey through grief and recovery:
Released in full on July 1, 2022, is the expansive fifth studio album by Imagine Dragons [4, 8]. Executive produced by the legendary Rick Rubin , this double album marks a significant shift for the band, moving away from stadium-shaking metaphors toward a raw, vulnerable exploration of the human condition. The Two Faces of Mercury
Mercury - Acts 1 & 2 - Album by Imagine Dragons - Apple Music