The Killers save 2020 with “Imploding the Mirage”
Moving is difficult especially when you’ve spent your whole life in one place.
Take “Imploding the Mirage,” the brand new album from alternative kings, The Killers. Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannuci have been riding the high of Las Vegas since their first album “Hot Fuss” in 2004. Since then, they’ve put out hit after hit including “Mr. Brightside,” “When You Were Young” and “Human.”
After the departure of Keuning, frontman Flowers packed up and headed to Park City, Utah, which was the main influence of this album. You can hear it, too. Gone are the harsh, fast paced bass lines and guitar solos. They’re replaced with upbeat 80s riffs, synthesizers and lyrics looking for repentance.
“It’s strange to write a song about repentance,” Flowers said in an interview with Apple Music. “It’s not a typical subject in a pop or rock song, but going into that territory and writing something that was meaningful to myself and hopefully able to resonate with a lot of people inside a stadium or inside their headphones is kind of the Holy Grail.”
That’s what the opening track, “My Own Soul’s Warning,” is about. The album uses the desert to describe what it’s like to feel empty, as shown by the album cover. Illustrator Thomas Blackshear not only created a single image to describe all 10 songs, but combined a western landscape with spiritual undertones. Unlike other albums, “Imploding The Mirage” is a concept album, meaning all the songs connect in some way and fit the same theme.
Flowers, who has struggled with religion nearly his whole life, uses the song to face his own “soul’s warning” and finally ask for repentance.
Whistles and low tones can be heard in the background as Flowers belts out the lyrics, “I tried going against my own soul’s warning, but in the end something just didn’t feel right. I tried running from the memory and the mourning, but the penalty kept on pouring.”
The album’s first single, “Caution,” put The Killers back on the billboard 100 after 13 years. “Caution” follows the story of how Flowers felt growing up in Las Vegas and building a brand. He’s been open about the effect the city had on himself and his family, calling it a “tainted and haunted place.” Utah was a clean slate.
“If I don’t get out of this town, I might be the one who finally burns it down. I’m throwing caution,” says the lyrics. This album definitely goes back to The Killers roots: guitar solos, indie rock ’n’ roll, earnest showmanship and lyrics that only make sense to those who dive deep. Inspiration from Peter Gabriel, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen can be heard on nearly every track but especially the track bearing the same name of the album, “Imploding the Mirage.”
The song is an homage to the imagery of Las Vegas, paying tribute to the Mirage Casino and the facade people put on just to fit in. This isn’t the first time a place in Vegas has been called out. In nearly every album, Flowers used a place in Vegas to make a point. “Imploding the Mirage” talks about the journey Flowers went on, both spiritually and physically, to figure out what was “real” and what was simply a “mirage.”
Drummer Ronni Vannuci called the album the journey of a couple trying to find sanctuary in a higher place. This can be found in the lyrics of “Fire in Bone,” “Running Towards a Place” and “My God.”
Born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Flowers struggled with his relationship with God. Creating The Killers was almost an act of defiance, but you can see the struggle, descent and climb through the six albums put out over the years. “Wonderful, Wonderful” saw a comfortable return to religion, while “Imploding the Mirage” seems to question some church policies but proves that a relationship with God will always be private.
Imploding the Mirage is out now. Listen here: https://t.co/GCqH0Nd5sd pic.twitter.com/U1LRLwDIcY
— The Killers (@thekillers) August 21, 2020
“It’s not a secret that I have a belief in myself and us and I believe that we have more to grow into,” Flowers told New Musical Express, admitting he thought The Killers were finally approaching their ideal sound. “Performing has become a part of my identity. I don’t know if it’s the Las Vegas in me or the need for the attention, but whatever it is, I want to be there.”
Flowers also told NME to expect another album in about 10 months. Creativity often blooms during times of illness (just look at the Renaissance) and if Flowers has proven anything it’s that this quarantine has allowed him to reflect on his life in the past and move forward. This album is a beautiful interpretation of the struggles of a couple and the struggle with a higher power. This is an album I would highly recommend.
As the lyrics say in “Running Towards a Place,” we are in this together and the sadness of this life will be overcome.
Sydney Dahle is a fourth-year student studying history and political science at Utah State and is currently the Lifestyles Content manager for the Utah Statesman. She hails from St. Louis, Missouri, and spends her free time writing, listening to The Killers, and playing Animal Crossing on the switch.
@dillydahle