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Imploding the Mirage
Imploding the Mirage
Imploding the Mirage
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Imploding the Mirage
Studio album by
the Killers
ReleasedAugust 21, 2020
Studio
Genre
Length41:58
LabelIsland
Producer
The Killers chronology
Wonderful Wonderful
(2017) 		Imploding the Mirage
(2020) 		Pressure Machine
(2021)
Singles from Imploding the Mirage
  1. "Caution"
    Released: March 12, 2020
  2. "My Own Soul's Warning"
    Released: June 17, 2020
  3. "Dying Breed"
    Released: August 14, 2020

Imploding the Mirage is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Killers, released on August 21, 2020, by Island Records in the United States and internationally by EMI.[1][2] To date, it is the band's only album without lead guitarist Dave Keuning, who took an indefinite hiatus (ending in 2021) from the band in 2017. Guitar parts are covered by Killers bassist Mark Stoermer, producer Jonathan Rado, and a variety of guest musicians, including Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and Adam Granduciel (The War on Drugs).[3]

The album was preceded by the lead single "Caution" released on March 12, 2020,[4] followed by the second single "My Own Soul's Warning" on June 17, 2020,[5] and the third single "Dying Breed" on August 14, 2020.[6] "Fire in Bone" was released as a promotional single on April 24, 2020.[7]

The album was originally intended for release on May 29, 2020, but was delayed to August as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9]

The pandemic also led to the postponement of the world tour in support of the album, originally intended to begin in the UK in May 2020.[10] After multiple delays, the tour eventually began in Las Vegas in April 2022, running until December 2023.[9]

Background

[edit]

The band formally announced the album on social media on November 15, 2019. Frontman Brandon Flowers told NME that the band went to Utah to record part of the album as it was where Flowers "fell in love with music for the first time", also saying that it was "interesting to be there again and hear some of that music with the geography matching the sensation. Some of that stuff is starting to resurface and a lot of that had to do with synthesizer music. It's always been part of our DNA but it's definitely creeping up."[11]

Recording

[edit]

Imploding the Mirage was recorded in various locations, including in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Park City, Utah, and produced by Canadian producer Shawn Everett, and Jonathan Rado of the band Foxygen. The duo pushed the Killers to think beyond what people might expect of them. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci noted: "It kind of felt uncomfortable in a really special way, I remember thinking, 'I don't know what's going to happen and I like it.'"[12]

The album is the band's first not to feature founding guitarist Dave Keuning, who took a step back from the band in a touring and recording capacity following the release of their previous studio album, Wonderful Wonderful (2017). Flowers and Vannucci reached out to Keuning to rejoin them in the studio to record Imploding the Mirage: "When we started working the schedule out, we asked [Dave] if it worked for him and he was like, 'Maybe, I don't know'. Well, we're going to go ahead and do this because we feel good and we feel creative. Let's strike. We didn't really hear from him, except when it came to making a video. He was like, 'If you guys want me in the video…' Well, I'm not sure that makes any sense either! Video? How about some guitar?"[12] Flowers elaborated: "He's just happy to be in San Diego and doesn't really want to venture out of there. If he comes for a week and we don't tap into the universe, that frustrates him a lot. He's kind of just spending time with his family and I think he's content doing that right now."[12] The following year, Keuning discussed his own reasons for not taking part in the recording sessions: "I just needed a break from everything. [Imploding the Mirage] was probably just as busy of a schedule as touring for ten or eleven months. That record took a long time to record. I feel like it took a year and a half. Only they would know, but I feel like it took a while. I just... we were kind of at a stalemate. [...] If it was recorded in San Diego, I probably could have been a part of it. I wasn't ready to work out of Vegas or Utah for a year and a half."[13]

Bass guitarist Mark Stoermer, who has been on touring hiatus from the band since 2016, contributed both bass and guitar to the album. Regarding Stoermer's involvement, Vannucci noted: "Mark's awesome in so many ways. We'd tell [Dave and Mark], 'This is the schedule, we're renting a house for six months, come out, whenever you want, we're there every day'. Mark came out to the house one time and to Los Angeles and it was great. It was on his own terms and was very productive. He played bass on some songs, played guitar on some songs, and even though he wasn't in the room we'd send him mixes and he'd be involved."[12]

The album features contributions from Lindsey Buckingham ("Caution"),[1] k.d. lang ("Lightning Fields"), Weyes Blood ("My God"), Adam Granduciel from the War on Drugs ("Blowback"), Blake Mills ("Caution") and Lucius ("Caution" and "My God").[4]

Composition

[edit]

Musically, Imploding the Mirage has been described as heartland rock,[14][15][16] pop rock,[17][18] alternative rock,[19][17] synth-pop,[20][17] pop,[21] arena rock,[16] new wave,[22] and synth-rock.[23]

After contributing to five songs on the band's fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful, Australian musician and songwriter Alex Cameron returned to co-write three tracks on Imploding the Mirage.

Artwork

[edit]

The album cover is Dance of the Wind and Storm by American artist Thomas Blackshear.[24] The album's artwork was decided upon during the recording process and became a source of visual inspiration in the studio, with Flowers noting: "They just look like gods. I just started to see a path open up in what these two people could represent for me. We blew up terrible lo-res versions of them and stuck them up in the studio. I would go to them when I needed help with lyrics and when we needed help with sonics, or [to decide] which songs were making the record. [The artwork] became a member of the band. There are direct lines that will just take you to the painting."[12]

Promotion

[edit]

Live performances

[edit]

The Killers performed tracks from the album live for CBS This Morning, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Good Morning America.[25][better source needed][26][27][28]

The band also appeared on the covers of NME and Music Week.[29][30]

Singles

[edit]

The lead single, "Caution", was released on March 12, 2020, and reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Airplay and Rock Airplay charts.[31] "Fire in Bone" was released as a promotional single on April 24, 2020.[7] The second single, "My Own Soul's Warning", was released on June 17, 2020[5] and reached the top ten on Billboard's Alternative Airplay and Rock Airplay charts. The third single, "Dying Breed", was released on August 14, 2020, a week before the album was released.[32]

Deluxe edition

[edit]

The band released a deluxe edition of the album on January 29, 2021, featuring live, stripped-back versions of "Caution" and "Blowback", as well as the new song "C'est La Vie".[33]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.2/10[34]
Metacritic76/100[35]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[21]
Consequence of SoundB[36]
DIYStarStarStarStar[37]
GigwiseStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[38]
The GuardianStarStarStar[39]
The IndependentStarStarStar[40]
The Irish TimesStarStarStar[41]
The Line of Best Fit8.5/10[42]
NMEStarStarStarStarStar[19]
Pitchfork7.4/10[23]

Imploding the Mirage received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has a score of 76 out of 100, which indicates "generally favorable reviews" based on 22 reviews.[35] AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung stated that "the Killers strike gold" on the album, writing that it is "more than just one of their best albums, but a triumphant and invigorated rut-reversal that shines with a hard-won confidence."[21] DIY's Sarah Jamieson called the album "rich and invigorating" and stated that it "proves they're still one of our most treasured bands for a reason".[37] Writing for NME, Mark Beaumont called the album "a raised fist to the future" and "another dazzling statement of ultra-modern pomp, and one arguably even more in step with new generations of alt-rock" in a five-star review.[19]

Accolades

[edit]
Accolades for Imploding the Mirage
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Billboard Fans Favorite Rock Album of 2020
1
[43]
Billboard The 25 Best Rock Albums of 2020: Staff Picks
21
[44]
NME The 50 best albums of 2020
19
[45]
Mic Favorite albums of 2020
8
[46]
San Francisco Examiner Top 10 rock albums of 2020
6
[47]
The Yorkshire Post Albums of 2020
10
[48]
The Forty-Five The 45 best albums of 2020
21
[49]
Chorus.fm Top 30 Albums of 2020
26
[50]
Radio X The best albums of 2020 N/a
[51]
AllMusic Favorite Rock Albums N/a
[52]
The Sunday Times The best albums of 2020 N/a
[53]
Vulture The Best Albums of 2020 N/a
[54]
The Irish News Best albums of 2020 N/a
[55]
Good Morning America 50 best albums of 2020
38
[56]
NPR NPR Listeners Top Albums of 2020
42
[57]
411Mania The Top 100 Albums of 2020
43
[58]
Uproxx Indiecastie's Comeback of the Year N/a
[59]

Pitchfork ranked "Caution" the 94th best song of 2020.[60]

Uproxx listed "My Own Soul's Warning" as the 5th best song of 2020.[61] NME listed it as the 14th best song of 2020.[62]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Imploding the Mirage debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 (and number one on the US Billboard Rock Albums chart), earning 37,000 album-equivalent units (including 30,000 pure album sales) in its first week.[63] In the United Kingdom, it debuted atop the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 50,391 copies, becoming the third fastest-selling album of the year so far (behind Lady Gaga's Chromatica and Kylie Minogue's Disco).[64][65] It also marks the Killers' sixth consecutive UK chart-topper and Flowers' eighth.[65] The album also topped the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia.[66]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are produced by Jonathan Rado and Shawn Everett, except where noted.

Imploding the Mirage track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."My Own Soul's Warning"Brandon Flowers 4:34
2."Blowback"
 3:59
3."Dying Breed"
 4:05
4."Caution"
 4:29
5."Lightning Fields" (featuring k.d. lang)
  • Flowers
  • Vannucci
  • Everett
  • Rado
 4:18
6."Fire in Bone"
  • Everett
  • Price
  • Rado
3:53
7."Running Towards a Place"
  • Rechtshaid
  • Everett
  • Rado
4:13
8."My God" (featuring Weyes Blood)
 3:38
9."When the Dreams Run Dry"
  • Flowers
  • Rado
  • Cameron
 4:42
10."Imploding the Mirage"
  • Flowers
  • Rado
 4:07
Total length:41:58
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."C'est La Vie"
  • Flowers
  • Rado
  • Everett
  • Cameron
  • Guy Wood
  • Robert Mellin
  • Dino Geangelo
  • Stoermer
3:05
12."Caution" (Wasatch Style)
  • Flowers
  • Stoermer
  • Vannucci
  • Cameron
  • Everett
  • Rado
3:17
13."Blowback" (acoustic)
  • Flowers
  • Everett
  • Rado
  • Vannucci
3:29
Total length:51:49

Notes

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Imploding the Mirage.[67]

The Killers

[edit]
  • Brandon Flowers – vocals (all tracks); synth (tracks 1–8, 10); organ (tracks 1, 5); glockenspiel (track 1); marimba synth (track 9); guitar (track 10)
  • Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drums (all tracks); percussion (tracks 1, 4); guitar (tracks 6, 7); timpani (tracks 8, 10); marimba (track 10)
  • Mark Stoermer – guitar (tracks 3, 4, 7, 9); bass (track 4); E-Bow (track 5); bass VI (track 6)

Additional musicians

[edit]
  • Bobby Lee Parker – guitar (track 1)
  • Jonathan Rado – bass (tracks 1–3, 5, 7, 9, 10); organ, cello (track 1); guitar (tracks 1, 5, 7, 10); string synth (tracks 1, 4, 6, 7); piano (tracks 1–3, 7, 10); slide guitar (tracks 2–4); acoustics (tracks 2, 6); E-Bow (tracks 2, 3, 9); harmonica (tracks 2, 3, 6, 10); 12-string (tracks 3, 7); celeste (track 3); acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 4, 8, 9); synth (tracks 3, 9, 10); drones (track 4); Emulator, horns, bagpipes (track 5); Fairlight (tracks 6, 8); fretless bass (track 8); Linn (track 9); marimba, vibraphone (track 10)
  • Rob Moose – strings (track 1)
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keys (track 1)
  • Brian D'Addario – acoustic guitar (track 1)
  • Shawn Everett – programming (track 2); drones (track 3); Emulator (track 9)
  • Natalie Mering – outro vocals (track 2); additional vocals (track 5); chorus and bridge vocals (track 8); vocals (track 10)
  • Adam Granduciel – keys, FX manipulation (track 2)
  • Lindsey Buckingham – guitar (track 4)
  • Blake Mills – guitar, bass, bass VI (track 4)
  • Lucius – background vocals (tracks 4, 8)
  • k.d. lang – vocals (track 5)
  • Drew Erickson – piano (track 5); strings (track 8)
  • Stuart Price – synths, guitar, bass (track 6)
  • Benji Lysaght – guitar (track 7)
  • Ariel Rechtshaid – guitar, bass, Linn (track 7)
  • Tommy King – synth, pan flute (track 7)

Technical

[edit]
  • Jonathan Rado – production (all tracks)
  • Shawn Everett – production, recording, mixing (all tracks)
  • Ivan Wayman – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 4–10)
  • Robert Root – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 4–10)
  • Ariel Rechtshaid – mixing (tracks 1, 3, 7); production (track 7)
  • Dave Shiffman – mixing (tracks 3, 7)
  • Flood – mixing (track 3)
  • Stuart Price – production (track 6)
  • Alan Moulder – mixing (track 10)
  • Emily Lazar – mastering (all tracks)

Artwork

[edit]
  • Brandon Flowers – art direction
  • Joe Spix – art direction, design
  • Sandy Brummels – art direction
  • Thomas Blackshear II – paintings

Studios

[edit]
  • Subtle McNugget Studios (Los Angeles) – recording, mixing (all tracks)
  • Electro-Vox Recording Studios (Los Angeles) – recording (all tracks)
  • Battle Born Studios (Las Vegas) – recording (all tracks)
  • Effie Street Studios (Los Angeles) – mixing (tracks 1, 3, 7, 10)
  • Assault and Battery 1 (London) – mixing (track 3)
  • Ariel's Studio – mixing (track 3)
  • The Lodge (New York City) – mastering (all tracks)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Imploding the Mirage
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[95] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Imploding the Mirage

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Imploding the Mirage is the sixth studio album by American rock band , released on August 21, 2020, through . The album was produced by the band alongside and of , and it features ten tracks characterized by synth-rock elements, arena-sized anthems, and influences from pop and . Originally scheduled for release on May 29, 2020, the album's launch was postponed due to the . It includes guest appearances from on "Lightning Fields" and on "My God," with the tracklist comprising "My Own Soul's Warning," "Blowback," "Dying Breed," "Caution," "Lightning Fields," "Fire in Bone," "Running Towards a Place," "My God," "When the Dreams Run Dry," and the title track. The , "Caution," was released on March 12, 2020, followed by "My Own Soul's Warning" on June 17, 2020, and "Dying Breed" on August 14, 2020. Upon release, Imploding the Mirage debuted at number one on the , securing the band's sixth consecutive chart-topping album there, and reached the top spot in and as well. In the United States, it entered the at number eight. Critics praised its energetic production and bombastic style, with awarding it a 7.4 out of 10 and calling it one of the band's biggest and best efforts. The album's themes explore personal introspection and resilience, continuing the ' tradition of grand, cinematic songwriting.

Development

Background

Imploding the Mirage began development in as a follow-up to the band's previous album, Wonderful Wonderful (2017), with frontman drawing on his musical roots in and . These influences stemmed from his upbringing in , particularly in the Las Vegas area, where his family initially resided in Henderson before relocating temporarily to and returning. Flowers has long cited inspirations from acts and figures like , shaping the band's sound since their debut. The album's conceptual origins centered on themes of personal reflection and mirage-like illusions, using the of implosion—a common practice in for demolishing old structures—to symbolize growth and change. Flowers connected this imagery to his experiences in the city, viewing it as a representation of confronting illusions and prioritizing what matters in life. On November 15, 2019, the band announced Imploding the Mirage via , including , and their official website, teasing a spring 2020 release. Initially, Flowers pursued the project without full band involvement, emphasizing his personal vision in collaboration with producers and , which marked a departure from traditional group sessions. The later delayed the album's release from May to August 2020.

Recording

Recording for Imploding the Mirage took place primarily in , , and , spanning from late 2018 through early 2020. The sessions began in but faced early setbacks, with much of the initial material discarded in favor of fresh recordings at studios in and the band's own facility in . The album was produced by Shawn Everett and Jonathan Rado of Foxygen, with Everett also overseeing recording and much of the mixing across all tracks. Frontman Brandon Flowers drove the creative process, drawing briefly from his Las Vegas roots to shape the album's thematic foundation. Guitarist Dave Keuning was absent from most sessions, marking the first Killers album without his direct contributions, while bassist Mark Stoermer participated despite his ongoing hiatus from touring, and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. handled percussion duties. Notable guest appearances included guitar work from Lindsey Buckingham on "Caution," vocals from on "Lightning Fields," vocals from on "My God," and contributions from on "Dying Breed." Production faced significant challenges, including the need to restart sessions after the phase, and was further complicated by the , which delayed the album's release from May 29 to August 21, 2020.

Style and content

Composition

Imploding the Mirage blends , , , , and elements, characterized by prominent use that evokes influences such as gated drums and synth strings. The album's sound draws from canyon and desert rock aesthetics, incorporating electro-glitz country and radio-friendly structures with operatic swells and elasticated funk reminiscent of . Brandon Flowers' vocals drive the tracks, delivering with exquisite brio and soaring into raw-throated rabble-rousing during anthemic choruses that build to mushroom cloud-like crescendos. The consists of 10 tracks totaling 41:58, with songwriting primarily credited to Flowers alongside collaborators like . Three tracks—"Dying Breed," "Caution," and "When the Dreams Run Dry"—were co-written by Alex Cameron, contributing to the record's florid and personal lyricism. Thematically, the album explores personal introspection, American landscapes, and illusions, often using the metaphor of as a facade to examine authenticity and escape. Tracks evoke the natural majesty of , blending spiritual undertones with reflections on doubt and courage. For instance, "Fire in Bone" incorporates gospel influences through choir arrangements. "My God" features contributions from , adding a layer of forgiving warmth and ethereal ardor.

Artwork

The album's cover art features the painting Dance of the Wind and Storm (1996) by American artist II, depicting two ethereal figures—a bearded man and a woman with flowing hair—gliding across a glowing sky amid swirling clouds and dynamic winds, evoking a sense of spiritual movement and otherworldly energy. , known for his dramatic lighting and Western-inspired motifs, created the oil-on-canvas work, which measures 33 by 43 inches and draws from mythological and natural themes. During the recording sessions in , the artwork served as a central thematic anchor, with prints hung throughout the studios and displayed on the band's screensavers to guide the creative process. Frontman described it as becoming "a member of the band," influencing the album's "psychedelic desert mirage" aesthetic and ensuring the songs aligned with its illusory, celestial vibe that underpinned the mirage concept of fleeting visions and emotional depth. The standard edition packaging emphasizes the artwork's prominence: the vinyl release is a 180-gram black LP in a gatefold sleeve with a plain black die-cut inner sleeve and an additional lyric sheet, while the CD comes in a jewel case with a 20-page booklet reproducing the painting and production credits. In branding, the imagery was deployed across promotional materials, reinforcing the band's Las Vegas roots and evoking the state's vast, dreamlike landscapes. This visual motif subtly echoes the desert themes woven into the album's lyrics.

Promotion and release

Singles

The lead single from Imploding the Mirage, "Caution", was released on March 12, 2020. It marked the band's return to the charts after a three-year hiatus from new material, entering the US Alternative Airplay chart before ascending to number 1 for four weeks starting April 25, 2020, their first leader there since "When You Were Young" in 2006. The track also topped the Rock Airplay chart, becoming their first number-one there. A music video directed by Sing J. Lee premiered on March 20, 2020, serving as a preview to a larger short film scored by the album's tracks and featuring dramatic performance footage of the band. Following the album's delay due to the , "Fire in Bone" arrived as the second single on April 24, 2020. The received a visualizer video upon release, emphasizing its atmospheric rock elements with simple band performance clips. It peaked at number 58 on the chart. "My Own Soul's Warning" was issued as the third single on June 17, 2020, ahead of the album's rescheduled release. It climbed to number 11 on the US chart over eight weeks and number 7 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. A directed by Sing J. Lee was released on July 16, 2020, incorporating surreal and elements tying into the album's thematic motifs of and escape. An alternate visualizer version directed by Michael Hili followed on August 20, 2020, with more stylized performance shots. Post-album, "Dying Breed" was promoted as a single on August 14, 2020, one week before Imploding the Mirage's release. The romantic peaked at number 15 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart but saw limited success. A visualizer video accompanied its debut, focusing on intimate band footage to highlight its emotional core.

Promotional activities

The Killers initiated promotional efforts for Imploding the Mirage in late 2019 with social media teasers incorporating mirage-themed visuals, building anticipation for their sixth studio . On November 15, 2019, the band announced the album title and a spring 2020 release date via and other platforms, sharing a short teaser video featuring a shimmering mirage that dissolved to reveal the album artwork, while simultaneously unveiling dates for an extensive across stadiums in the UK and . The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the campaign, prompting a shift to digital and virtual strategies as in-person events were postponed. The release was delayed from its original spring timeline to August 21, 2020, to accommodate safer promotional approaches amid global lockdowns. Media tie-ins played a key role in the buildup, with exclusive previews and interviews in major outlets. In May 2020, Rolling Stone published an in-depth feature with Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci Jr., offering early insights into the album's creation and themes during studio sessions in Las Vegas. Similarly, NME conducted a cover story interview in August 2020, highlighting the record's canyon rock influences and Flowers' personal reflections, just days before launch. Digital platforms were central to pre-release engagement, with targeted streaming promotions driving fan interaction. The band partnered with for curated playlists featuring album teasers and past hits to build momentum, while offered an exclusive promotional film exploring the record's visual and sonic elements, available leading up to the July 17 announcement of the final release date—later adjusted to August. These efforts culminated in widespread pre-saves and streams, positioning the for its debut.

Live performances

The Killers debuted several tracks from Imploding the Mirage on television amid the . The band performed the lead single "Caution" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 25, 2020, delivering an energetic rendition from a socially distanced setup. They followed with another appearance on CBS Saturday This Morning on May 1, 2020, where they played "Caution" in a stripped-back format. Later, on June 15, 2020, the group appeared remotely on , offering an intimate acoustic version of "Caution" from their respective homes. During the height of pandemic restrictions, the Killers adapted to virtual formats to showcase album material. They participated in the iHeartRadio Living Room Concert Series on June 17, 2020, teasing elements of the record alongside classics like "When You Were Young." In September 2020, the band performed from the rooftop of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for BBC Radio 2's Live at Home festival, debuting "My Own Soul's Warning" live for the first time on September 12, marking an early highlight of the album's rollout. They also streamed a full set via Pandora LIVE on September 15, 2020, blending new tracks like "Caution" with fan favorites to celebrate the album's impending release. The Imploding the Mirage World Tour, originally planned for 2020 and postponed multiple times due to the pandemic, launched on August 19, 2021, at Terminal 5 in . The tour spanned over 100 dates across , , the , , and , concluding on December 2, 2023, at Interlagos Circuit in , , with the band incorporating elaborate stage production to bring the album's themes to life. Setlists heavily featured Imploding the Mirage material, including openers like "My Own Soul's Warning" and closers such as "When the Dreams Run Dry," alongside staples from their catalog, allowing fans to experience the record's anthemic sound in arena and stadium settings.

Deluxe edition

The deluxe edition of Imploding the Mirage was released on January 29, 2021, through , expanding the original with three bonus tracks for a total of 13 songs and a runtime of 51 minutes and 56 seconds. The added tracks consist of the previously unreleased original song "", an acoustic version of "Blowback", and a live rendition of "Caution" subtitled "Wasatch Style", recorded during a performance at the . This digital-only release provided fans with additional material from the album's sessions and live elements amid ongoing tour cancellations due to the .

Reception

Critical reception

Imploding the Mirage received generally favorable reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, the album holds an average score of 76 out of 100, based on 22 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. Critics frequently praised the album's anthemic energy and ' commanding vocals, highlighting its return to the band's bombastic rock roots. described it as a "marvelously absurd collection of synth-rock gems and arena anthems," led by Flowers' "exquisite brio," calling it polished yet potent with grand ambition. lauded it as an invigorating blend of experimentation and canyon rock enormity, with "unbreakable sound" and futuristic bangers that showcase the band's ultra-modern pomp. Released amid the , the record was often welcomed as uplifting , with The Sunflower noting its overwhelming sense of that felt essential for the moment. Some reviewers critiqued the album for relying on formulaic rock structures. The Guardian awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, arguing that its songs, likened to the "millennial Queen," perpetually climax to a wearying effect in pursuit of multi-platinum appeal. Despite such reservations, standout notices emphasized its triumphant vibe; for instance, Variety observed that nearly 20 years into their career, the Killers evolved while preserving their core sound, delivering a satisfying pop-rock experience.

Commercial performance

Imploding the Mirage debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart, earning 37,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, of which 30,000 were from traditional album sales. In the , it entered the Albums Chart at number one with combined sales of 50,391 units, including nearly 42,000 physical copies and the remainder from downloads and streaming equivalents. The album also achieved number-one debuts in on the Albums Chart, on the Irish Albums Chart, and on the Scottish Albums Chart. Internationally, Imploding the Mirage reached the top 10 on album charts in multiple countries, including number nine in on the Canadian Albums chart and number sixteen in the on the Album Top 100, as well as top 10 positions in (#2), (#3), and others. Streaming equivalents played a key role in its overall performance across platforms, contributing to sustained chart presence beyond the debut week. The album's strong physical sales, particularly on CD, underscored fan demand amid the pandemic's impact on live music. In early 2021, the release of a deluxe edition featuring additional tracks, including the new song "," provided a modest sales resurgence, though specific unit figures were not publicly detailed.

Accolades and legacy

Imploding the Mirage garnered significant acclaim from both fans and critics upon its release. In Billboard's reader-voted poll for the best rock albums of , the album topped the list, reflecting strong fan support for its anthemic sound. Additionally, it placed at number 19 on NME's year-end ranking of the 50 best albums of , praised for its forward-looking energy and bombastic production. The album's legacy is further cemented by the , which ran from 2021 to 2023 across 125 shows worldwide and, from reported figures, drew over 1.26 million attendees and generated $102.3 million in revenue. This extensive outing, incorporating tracks from the follow-up (2021), reaffirmed ' position as enduring headliners in the post-pandemic landscape, with sold-out performances at major venues like and . Beyond commercial success, Imploding the Mirage contributed to broader conversations on the synth-rock revival, blending the band's early new wave influences with modern production to evoke a sense of escapist grandeur amid global uncertainty. Its role in the band's evolution is evident in the swift transition to , marking a dual-release era that highlighted ' versatility—from high-energy stadium anthems to narrative-driven introspection—while maintaining their core appeal. The album continues to appear in rock retrospectives as a pivotal return-to-form effort, underscoring ' enduring influence on .

Credits

Standard edition

The standard edition of Imploding the Mirage features 10 tracks with a total runtime of 42:00.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."My Own Soul's Warning"Flowers4:34
2."Blowback"Flowers, Everett, Rado, Vannucci Jr., Cameron4:00
3."Dying Breed"Flowers, Rado4:06
4."Caution"Flowers, Stoermer, Vannucci Jr., 4:30
5."Lightning Fields"Flowers, Rado4:18
6."Fire in Bone"Flowers, Rado3:53
7."Running Towards a Place"Flowers, Rado4:14
8."My God"Flowers, Rado3:39
9."When the Dreams Run Dry"Flowers, Rado4:43
10."Imploding the Mirage"Flowers, Rado4:08
Songwriting is primarily credited to Brandon Flowers and Jonathan Rado across most tracks, with additional co-writers including Shawn Everett, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Mark Stoermer, Stuart Price, and Alex Cameron on specific songs.

Deluxe edition

The deluxe edition, released on January 29, 2021, adds three bonus tracks to the standard edition, extending the total runtime to 51:49. The additional tracks include the new song "C'est La Vie" and acoustic and live versions of existing tracks recorded during promotional activities.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."C'est La Vie"Flowers, Rado3:05
12."Caution (Wasatch Style)" [live]Flowers, Stoermer, Vannucci Jr., Price3:17
13."Blowback (Acoustic)"Flowers, Everett, Rado, Vannucci Jr., Cameron3:29
The bonus tracks retain the original songwriting credits from their standard versions.

The Killers

  • Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, synthesizers, keyboards, guitar
  • Mark Stoermer – , guitar
  • Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drums, percussion Lead guitarist did not participate in the album's recording, as he was on indefinite hiatus from the band since 2017.

Additional musicians

  • Lindsey Buckingham – guitar (track 4: "Caution")
  • – vocals (track 5: "Lightning Fields")
  • (Natalie Mering) – vocals (track 8: "My God")
  • – keyboards (track 7: "Running Towards a Place")
  • – bass guitar, guitar, piano, marimba, vibraphone, synthesizers, harmonica
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards (track 8)
  • Drew Erickson – piano (track 5)
  • Jonathan Moos – strings (track 5)

Production

  • Shawn Everett – producer, recording engineer, mixing
  • – producer
  • – producer (track 7), mixing (tracks 1, 3, 7)
  • Ivan Wayman – engineering (all tracks except 3)
  • Robert Root – engineering (all tracks except 3)
  • – mixing (tracks 2, 4–6, 8–10) Mixing took place primarily at Subtle McNugget Studios in .

Artwork

  • Thomas Blackshear II – cover painting ("Dance of the Wind and the Storm")
  • – art direction
  • Joe Spix – art direction, design
  • Sandy Brummels – art direction

References

  1. https://consequence.net/2020/07/the-killers-imploding-the-mirage-new-release-date-august/
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  3. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-killers-imploding-the-mirage/
  4. https://music.apple.com/us/album/imploding-the-mirage/1502453888
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  6. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-killers-new-song-my-own-souls-warning-1016378/
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  56. https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/the-killers-top-50-000-sales-with-sixth-no-1-album/080946
  57. https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/the-killers-score-third-aria-1-album-with-imploding-the-mirage
  58. https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-killers-score-their-fifth-irish-number-1-album-with-imploding-the-mirage__30865/
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  70. https://music.apple.com/gb/song/imploding-the-mirage/1550010468
  71. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/western-art-collector/20201201/281745567019185
  72. https://www.discogs.com/release/15865165-The-Killers-Imploding-The-Mirage
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