Amsterdam

When one dives into Amsterdam, the first thing that stands out is how Imagine Dragons began to play with electronic textures and timbres, integrating them in a way that complemented their more traditional rock sound. It wasn't about creating melodies or riffs with synthesizers, but about using electronics to shape and give depth to the song's atmosphere. This sonic exploration had already hinted at itself in Hear Me, from their 2010 EP, Hell and Silence, but in Amsterdam it feels more developed, marking a path they would later explore thoroughly. The song was recorded in December 2010 at The Studio at the Palms, in Paradise, Nevada, and was included in their third EP, It's Time, released in March 2011. Later, it was re-recorded and remastered to be part of their debut album, Night Visions, appearing as the sixth track.

The story of Amsterdam also has an interesting journey. It was first officially shared on December 31, 2010, via a YouTube video and was available as a limited-time free download on iTunes. It was selected as "Single of the Week" in several countries. The song had its official release in North America on September 4, 2012, coinciding with the release of the album Night Visions, and later in Europe on February 7, 2013. The composers behind this piece are Ben McKee, Dan Reynolds, and Wayne Sermon, with production by Ben McKee, Dan Platzman, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Alexander Grant, and Brandon Darner. With a duration of 4:01, Amsterdam became one of the most frequently played songs live by the band, surpassing 300 performances since its first rendition on August 6, 2010, and was a staple on the Night Visions tour in 2013.