Let’s be honest: when somebody starts spouting off positive words and phrases at you when you’re in a negative mood, all you want to do is reach for the nearest blunt object and see how it would look as a fashion accessory on their face. Most of the time though, their hearts are in the right place, much like the music and lyrics coming out of indie band Imagine Dragons’ new EP, Continued Silence.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of people who were trying to get their lives back on track and into the work force. I was feeding them all these lame affirmations that you read on fridge magnets. Their eyes glazed over and stared off into space during my speech, and for good reason: I was boring. Then I started swearing profusely and of course, they perked up. I was levelling with them and said something along the lines of; “Listen, life might (expletive) suck right now. Everything seems like it might be going down the crapper, but it’ll get better. The only thing is, you have to (expletive) BELIEVE that it will.” Then I gave them all Frisbees.
One of them asked “How can you keep positive though?”
Simple answer? Music.
Self affirming music is some of the best kind, and Imagine Dragons make it. This is the kind of music that will give you that big goofy grin you get after you kiss someone, or help someone struggling to put their groceries in their car – like a figurative pat on the back.
To put it quite simply, Continued Silence is fantastic. It combines hip-hop beats with synth-laden rock, whatever that means. It sounds smart as (expletive). But the EP is just as a skirt should be; short and sweet.
Radioactive starts the optimism off with a heavy beat: “I feel it in my bones/enough to make my systems grow.”
On Top of the World is a powerhouse. Everything about it is catchy: the sing-along lyrics and handclaps. If you have yet to hear my theory, brace yourself, everyone loves handclaps. This song is riddled with them. If my impromptu, motivational speech audience listened to this one, they’d be unstoppable.
Those handclaps continue into Imagine Dragons’ lead single It’s Time. I guarantee you’ll get goose bumps when the band shouts “I’m never changing who I am!” – Because really, why should you?
Throw Continued Silence on when you’re having an (expletive) day. Look to the music on here to get you through it, because one day, there won’t be someone handing out Frisbees.
