Evolve
by Imagine Dragons
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 467 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 309 out of 467
  2. Mixed: 71 out of 467
  3. Negative: 87 out of 467
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  1. NicklasW
    Jun 23, 2017
    6
    Even tho, I wasn't a fan of "Smoke + Mirrors" I was excited to see what they bring next and you can´t deny the wide range of genres they play on this, fairly short, Album; from Alt.Rock to Synth Pop and EDM to experimental Electronica, its well arranged in that regard. The Album starts with an EDM and Synth-Pop influenced Intro which fades nicely into the next tracks who are all quiteEven tho, I wasn't a fan of "Smoke + Mirrors" I was excited to see what they bring next and you can´t deny the wide range of genres they play on this, fairly short, Album; from Alt.Rock to Synth Pop and EDM to experimental Electronica, its well arranged in that regard. The Album starts with an EDM and Synth-Pop influenced Intro which fades nicely into the next tracks who are all quite strong and remember on "Night Visions"; with "Rise Up" as one of my personal favorites on the Album, ending the admittedly strong first half of the Album. Then the fall, the 2nd half felt completely flat. The Instrumentals, as well as the vocals, which were really powerful in the first half, felt really blend and mediocre. Most of these tracks just seem directionless and uninspired and let me to believe that they run out of ideas to fast, especially on the Album closer "Dancing In the Dark" which sounds like a Chainsmoker song with Dan Reynolds as feature.

    Best Songs: Whatever It Takes, Believer, Rise Up, Thunder
    Worst Songs: Yesterday, Dancing In The Dark, Start Over
    Maybe it will some day grow a little bit more on me like the single "Thunder" did, but as it stands right now I can only give a score of 6. I was just expecting more from the Album even though its first half was good.    … Expand
  2. rafa_dm
    Aug 14, 2017
    6
    Me esperaba mucho más de este disco. Se han pasado al pop comercial, nada que ver con Smoke + Mirrors. Son canciones aburridas y parecidas entre sí. Aún así, hay algunas canciones que salvan un poco al disco.
  3. SeanVincent
    Jul 14, 2017
    4
    Whatever It Takes and Believer shows potential of this album but it was buried by other dull, boring and dreadful tracks. It's far from an evolution and very near to a terrible album.
  4. TheNeedleDrops
    Jun 28, 2017
    4
    Bad album for top 40 listeners who want to feel alternative. It still baffles me how the grammys gave the rock album of the year to these dweebs over queens of the stone age.
  5. longjetty7
    Jun 24, 2017
    4
    Very average, and on the lower side of average too. I'll admit there are a few good songs here, especially I'll Make It Up To You and I Don't Know Why, but so many of the other songs follow the same tired formula of generic stadium-pop crap, and it gets really wearisome over the course of an album. They need more variety, and they also need just better songs.
  6. A-A-Ron837
    Dec 16, 2017
    5
    For me, it was a very average and somewhat forgettable album. Sure it has Whatever it Takes, Believer, and Thunder, but not much else. It's still worth a listen, but don't be expecting much.
  7. TrafalgarLeo
    Jun 23, 2017
    6
    Obviously I heard Smoke+Mirrors and Night Visions before and like 2 weeks later since Smoke+Mirrors came out I started to "compare" their 2 albums and I found myself loving almost ALL the songs not cause I'm a fan because in that times I wasn't a fan, but because what I felt when I heard all that songs.
    I don't know exactly if my opinion is because I was expecting a lot more from Evolve,    Obviously I heard Smoke+Mirrors and Night Visions before and like 2 weeks later since Smoke+Mirrors came out I started to "compare" their 2 albums and I found myself loving almost ALL the songs not cause I'm a fan because in that times I wasn't a fan, but because what I felt when I heard all that songs.
    I don't know exactly if my opinion is because I was expecting a lot more from Evolve, puting aside the fact that this album has only 11 songs and there's not a Deluxe version yet (and I guess that it'll never come out) the strength in Imagine Dragons songs exist purely only in 4 songs (Believer, Rise Up, Whatever It Takes and Thunder) and 3 of them are songs that they released before Evolve release date. The other 7 songs are just cool or songs to listen without put all of your attention.

    I still loving the band, but the way that they mixed lyrics with some experimental sounds in like half album wasn't the best thing, also maybe the order of the songs make less interesting a part of the album; maybe if they take the 2nd to 5th song and change the order puting it between 2 other songs and not these 4 songs together, the "album experience" could be better for many people.    … Expand
  8. Lukas0303
    Jun 24, 2017
    6
    I love every song Imagine Dragons has to offer, especially from the Album Smoke + Mirrors, which was an accoustic Highlight, to modern Music. Sadly Evolve didn´t succeed my expectations, nor my minimal requirements. Although they are good Songs like: I don´t why, Dancing in the Dark and Yesterday, it just wasn´t enough. "If you cant beat ´em, join ´em" (Rolling Stones Magazine) is aI love every song Imagine Dragons has to offer, especially from the Album Smoke + Mirrors, which was an accoustic Highlight, to modern Music. Sadly Evolve didn´t succeed my expectations, nor my minimal requirements. Although they are good Songs like: I don´t why, Dancing in the Dark and Yesterday, it just wasn´t enough. "If you cant beat ´em, join ´em" (Rolling Stones Magazine) is a totally accurate thought process of Imagine Dragons, as they may have entered modern Pop.. At least it looks as so.… Expand
  9. joenorth
    Jun 24, 2017
    5
    Far from one of their best albums. Songs like Believer and Thunder stand out but nothing else is memorable. It's decent compared to other albums in general, but not what I have come to expect from imagine dragons. It doesn't experiment with things and try anything new. It's a let down to me, and likely to fall through the cracks.
  10. Clint_Eastwood1
    Nov 9, 2017
    4
    Imagine Dragons-это отличный пример как водить аудиторию за нос.Альбом просто набит клише и штампами музыки и просто обречён был стать хитовым.В музыке Imagine Dragons нет ничего,что цепляет.В их творчестве нет искры-это просто набор простеньких треков сделанный для масс которые будут считать,что это музыка,но на самом деле это просто коммерческий продукт.Альбом просто сделан по канонуImagine Dragons-это отличный пример как водить аудиторию за нос.Альбом просто набит клише и штампами музыки и просто обречён был стать хитовым.В музыке Imagine Dragons нет ничего,что цепляет.В их творчестве нет искры-это просто набор простеньких треков сделанный для масс которые будут считать,что это музыка,но на самом деле это просто коммерческий продукт.Альбом просто сделан по канону поп-мейнстрима,куча хитовых композиций для хомячков которым нравятся монотонные треки под которых можно покачать головой на дискотеке.… Expand
  11. michaelbozas
    Jun 26, 2018
    5
    This album is harmless and unoffensive. Either you love it or hate it, it's nothing to make you angry. Imagine Dragons make a record filled with trailer music that anyone can take it and play it over a scene. But there are one or two bangers included in here as well. The track Whatever It Takes is probably the best one and one of the few songs of theirs that I wanna keep listening onThis album is harmless and unoffensive. Either you love it or hate it, it's nothing to make you angry. Imagine Dragons make a record filled with trailer music that anyone can take it and play it over a scene. But there are one or two bangers included in here as well. The track Whatever It Takes is probably the best one and one of the few songs of theirs that I wanna keep listening on repeat. Probably their best one since Radioactive (I haven't listened to Smoke+Mirrors). Also the song Believer I think fully succeeded in making you energised, which if you have watched the music video is pretty obviously what they were going for.
    Now on the other hand the rest of the tracks are just bland. Nothing special. I mean Mouth of the River was kinda good and Dancing in the Dark started off good, but the repetitive chorus killed the song for me. Also I would like to talk about the song "Thunder". This is probably the biggest missed opportunity in the entire album. The music is good and Dan Raynold's singing is decent. But that **** chipmunk chorus destroys the song. Also it would help if Dan didn't raise the notes in the end of every sentence. In the end it got under my skin, which is a shame as it could have been pretty good.
    In the end I'll give it a strong 5/10. I rate it that cause I don't think it's terrible and if you're a big Imagine Dragons fan you'll probably like it. But for me, the only good thing I got from this playlist was adding 2 new songs in my Spotify playlist.    … Expand
  12. ultimatepalmtre
    Nov 28, 2017
    5
    Whoops...

    In fairness, I understand the concept the band were going for and I appreciate that the lead singer was going through some tough times. Sadly this doesn't translate very well in terms of the quality of the music. I absolutely love I Don't Know Why, Whatever It Takes, Believer and Thunder, but the rest of it is really forgettable and comes across as 'filler-trying-to-be-more'    Whoops...

    In fairness, I understand the concept the band were going for and I appreciate that the lead singer was going through some tough times. Sadly this doesn't translate very well in terms of the quality of the music. I absolutely love I Don't Know Why, Whatever It Takes, Believer and Thunder, but the rest of it is really forgettable and comes across as 'filler-trying-to-be-more' which is a shame.

    4/10, + 1 because the aforementioned songs are SO GOOD    … Expand
  13. sasscardigan
    Jul 25, 2017
    6
    Dan Reynolds es una persona maravillosa, y nos dijo que escribió este álbum con lo que tenía en su corazón. La razón por la que me gustaba Imagine Dragons era la profundidad de sus letras y lo divertido de sus sonidos, pero en este álbum, si bien hay canciones muy buenas, se perdió del todo esto. Son repetitivos, electrónicos y no hay muchas cosas nuevas. Aunque no sea así, parece un álbumDan Reynolds es una persona maravillosa, y nos dijo que escribió este álbum con lo que tenía en su corazón. La razón por la que me gustaba Imagine Dragons era la profundidad de sus letras y lo divertido de sus sonidos, pero en este álbum, si bien hay canciones muy buenas, se perdió del todo esto. Son repetitivos, electrónicos y no hay muchas cosas nuevas. Aunque no sea así, parece un álbum construido sin esmero en mejorar. Espero lo mejor de ellos la próxima vez.… Expand
  14. mariolanes7788
    Nov 9, 2018
    6
    Solid Album but not what I expect from a band like Imagine Dragons. Thunder is god awful, Believer didn't sound unique but lyrics were definitely good, and most the songs lyrics weren't that great. Unlike Smoke + Mirrors and Night Visions there's nothing here that wows me until Next To Me comes out as it definitely wowed me, but let's not count that song as it was in there re-release. MySolid Album but not what I expect from a band like Imagine Dragons. Thunder is god awful, Believer didn't sound unique but lyrics were definitely good, and most the songs lyrics weren't that great. Unlike Smoke + Mirrors and Night Visions there's nothing here that wows me until Next To Me comes out as it definitely wowed me, but let's not count that song as it was in there re-release. My favorites from the Album were Mouth of the River, Rise Up, Whatever It Takes, I'll Make It Up To You, and I Don't Know Why. Again Solid Album but after there 2 amazing albums you definitely expected better.… Expand
  15. MalArken
    Jan 22, 2018
    6
    This is the definition of a 'meh album'. Believer gave us a promising hope that it would be a good album, but the rest of the album was just... meh...
  16. prestonhung
    Feb 27, 2018
    6
    'EVOLVE' is an enjoyable album overall, but the lyrics and melodies of most of the tracks are too cliche and redundant. Although songs like "I Don't Know Why" and "Believer" are two of the most powerful and superior songs of the album, or maybe even the year, most of the other tracks are just so plain and tasteless and not a bit experimental. However, the vocals in the album are deeply'EVOLVE' is an enjoyable album overall, but the lyrics and melodies of most of the tracks are too cliche and redundant. Although songs like "I Don't Know Why" and "Believer" are two of the most powerful and superior songs of the album, or maybe even the year, most of the other tracks are just so plain and tasteless and not a bit experimental. However, the vocals in the album are deeply appreciated.
    Strongest Tracks: "I Don't Know Why", "Whatever It Takes", "Believer", "I'll Make It Up To You"
    Weakest Tracks: "Rise Up", "Yesterday", "Mouth Of The River", "Start Over"    … Expand
  17. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 11, 2020
    6
    Evolve by Imagine Dragons: 5.63

    Next To Me: 0.25 I Don’t Know Why: 0.5 Whatever It Takes: 1 :) Believer: 1 :) Walking The Wire: 1 :) Rise Up: 0.75 I’ll Make It Up To You: 0.75 Yesterday: 1 Mouth Of The River: 1 :) Thunder: 0.75 Start Over: 1 :) Dancing In The Dark: 0 9/12 = .750 -> 5.63 I began listening to Evolve in the hopes that it would be more energetic, like    Evolve by Imagine Dragons: 5.63

    Next To Me: 0.25
    I Don’t Know Why: 0.5
    Whatever It Takes: 1 :)
    Believer: 1 :)
    Walking The Wire: 1 :)
    Rise Up: 0.75
    I’ll Make It Up To You: 0.75
    Yesterday: 1
    Mouth Of The River: 1 :)
    Thunder: 0.75
    Start Over: 1 :)
    Dancing In The Dark: 0

    9/12 = .750 -> 5.63

    I began listening to Evolve in the hopes that it would be more energetic, like Night Visions, than Smoke + Mirrors was. My expectations were met by this criteria but by others, Evolve fell way flat. Half of the songs in Evolve are really good, but the other half I wasn’t too thrilled with. For example, Next To Me had potential to be a really good song, as the drums and guitar riffs sounded really nice, but there was weird timing there that made those two seem out of sync, which was annoying. Plus, its bridge was pretty whack. I Don’t Know Why seemed to be too “synthy” for Imagine Dragons, as if they were trying too hard to make it a radio song. Whatever It Takes, Believer, and Walking The Wire were all fantastic, exactly what I was anticipating (both in my hopes for the album and some of Imagine Dragons’s best work). Rise Up felt a little too loud overall, like there was too much going on, but it was good otherwise, and I also enjoyed I’ll Make It Up To You. Yesterday was a good song, though some parts of it felt a bit abrupt. I felt about Mouth Of The River and Start Over the same way I felt about the three previously mentioned awesome songs: it was just so good. Thunder was a little repetitive but was otherwise a fun and catchy tune. Dancing In The Dark on the other hand, was repetitive as well, along with woefully flat: annoying electronic drums and the vocals had some weird effect to them, and the song droned on. All in all, Evolve misses the mark compared to other Imagine Dragons albums, but there are still a few gems within this collection. Highlights: Whatever It Takes, Believer, Walking The Wire, Yesterday, Mouth Of The River, and Start Over.    … Expand
  18. Psorp
    Jul 31, 2020
    5
    5.0
    This album is such a great POP album, with no meanings and topics. But this album attracted many people.
  19. Hscoa
    Sep 1, 2020
    4
    Evolve is a great album, but something feels off. Maybe it's because it's very repetitive, or the lack of instruments. Night Visions and Origins are much better albums, but at least this one had some good songs.
  20. j444cks
    Mar 2, 2023
    6
    This album feels very unique to me. It's fun when you appreciate it for what it is.

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Most Discussed Album of 2017
66
#66 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. musicOMH.com
    Jun 26, 2017
    50
    There’s not enough quality across the whole of Evolve to convincingly make the case that Imagine Dragons actually have, or to attract an audience of new listeners. Evolve is a good idea, but in practise it turns out that it doesn’t really work.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    Jun 23, 2017
    40
    Their [producers Mattman & Robin's] spacious productions are an odd fit for Dan Reynolds' tortured dude-isms.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    Jun 22, 2017
    40
    Evolve sounds, almost impressively so, as though it’s been created with telly music coordinators in mind--and few others besides.
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