When Imagine Dragons fans got wind that the group had released a new version of their single “Eyes Closed” featuring J Balvin, some expressed fear. This, after all, is an important track: the lead single from the band's upcoming sixth album (Loom, expected to be released on June 28). What the heck; Was he really going to mix reggaetón with Imagine Dragons' usual pop-rock?
Never fear. The resulting track, where Balvin eschews reggaetón beats altogether for powerful lyrics over a rock groove — with Imagine Dragons actually repeating a section of the song — managed to hit all the right notes and turn a plus one into a 3 .
“I didn't know I needed this until I saw it AAAAAAA,” wrote @AsaltodeMedianoche on Youtube.” This is crazy. I didn't expect this to sound so epic with him,” wrote another fan.
Which begs the question: How on earth did Imagine Dragons end up working with J Balvin? And how does this remix sound so cool?
Balvin and Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds spoke with Advertising sign and told us how everything went.
How it started
Reynolds: I met with the children [bassist Ben McKee and guitarist Wayne Sermon] when we were working on the song [late last year] and it just felt like something was missing when we were in the studio. We really don't do collaborations often, but this song especially, [we felt] it really needs something to complete it. The three of us were in a room and we talked about things that we were listening to and things that inspired us, and we were all like, “Jeez, I love his music.” We addressed him and within a week [it came together].
Balvin: I was in Romania at a gig and Chris Knight from the management team said, check this out. He didn't even say it was Imagine Dragons: He said “Yeah, they want you on this song, tell me what you think.” And I said, “Play it.” And when I heard that voice—and the production is mind-blowing, the production is so forward—I said, “We're recording this tomorrow.”
I was having a dark time — this one [kind where] you don't know how to handle a certain moment, and it was [like], “This is perfect for how I feel right now. and I can express myself very easily.” And also, usually when people think of doing songs with Latinos doing reggaetón, they thought I was going to change the beat and make it reggaetón, right? And of course that was the fear of many fans. And when they heard the song [found out]”Oh, they kept it in the same atmosphere.”
And it's because I like to jump with different genres. In this case, I'm a big fan of Imagine Dragons and I have to do my best and follow the vibe — and say the same thing they say, but in Spanish of course. We don't want to talk about different topics in the same song.
I just had to leave it out! The best thing that could happen to me is when I received this song. Oh, I have these feelings right now. Thank God someone just sent me a great song to let it out and be open and honest about how at a certain point in my career people wanted to see me fail or I went to a dark time that I thought I was going to to be — and then, I can do it with my eyes closed. I've been in this game so long it makes me stronger every day. It doesn't mean I'm the strongest. I still have a lot of weak things, still healing. But now I know how to swim much longer and better in the labyrinth, with my eyes closed.
The process
Reynolds: It was the first edition. There were no changes. It was like he got it. I had a feeling that he would catch the vision, just because I was familiar enough with his work to know that he can do a lot of different things. And sure, [the song] it doesn't need anything [after he finishes recording]. Without changes. Mix it up. Send it.
Balvin: Sometimes less is more. And I felt like that's what I wanted to say, those were the flows that we wanted to bring. The verse was perfect for me. I love the song. And that's what I can give them. It's about quality, not quantity. What if I gave another verse but it didn't really pan out? I prefer to do a verse that is really concise and to the point.
Reynolds: We just left openings throughout the song, showed him different versions and really left it up to him to go as long or as short as he wanted. We say: “You do you”. And sure enough, he sent it back, and we said, “That's it.” The only thing I changed was that I rewrote the bridge after he sent his part back, because there was a certain melody that I really liked that he did in the pre chorus.
Balvin: We were very happy when we heard this tune. We were like, “He made that tune, man!”
Rap in Spanish
Balvin: You know I'm always a big advocate of “just keep it in Spanish” because that's how I connect with people. And it's not going to sound the same when you really want to express your feelings in your language. Well, Spanish of course, and the kids agreed with that. I think it's all about the feeling and even people who don't understand Spanish, know that we really flow on this instrument like we should. And I feel proud of that and I feel grateful for that [I worked with] one of my favorite bands and also to meet Dan.
Reynolds: The way this band has always worked is that we always try to make music that we like and make decisions that make us feel good. Fans aren't always going to love certain songs, that's just part of life. And I think the worst thing you can do as an artist is try to cover that up. That's when you fail as an artist. You try to create something that a critic will like, something that a fan will like, and then no one likes it, and then you feel bad about yourself because it wasn't even honest. So for us, it was, “Man, it would be really cool to work with J on this song. And it would be really nice to have multiple languages in one song.”
I think it's a reflection of where music is today. One of the blessings we have as a band is being able to play everywhere and experience different people from different cultures and languages. even when people don't know what I'm saying, they feel like English was their first language. The second I heard J's verse I knew, even though my Spanish is three years of high school, the feeling I got from it was all that mattered.
Balvin: They expected that maybe I would bring reggaeton, but for me it's crazy, because I respect the art and I know when I can add reggaeton. This is like the Mona Lisa, it's a beautiful work of art. Don't touch it too much. We have to make music that we think is right, otherwise you're sold out. I was honest with myself and I don't regret any words I say in the song. That's what I wanted to do and I'm proud of it and I gave it my 1000%.
Finally Meeting
Balvin: When I met Dan I had no expectations because you don't know. Sometimes you don't want to meet your idols, right? You get there, and he was extremely humble, and he's huge [in height] So I was looking at him like, “Hey, what's up.” But he's really down to earth and I'm grateful for the way you guys treat me. I felt like at home.
Reynolds: I think that really speaks to Jose and who he is as a person. You never know what to expect when you work with a really great artist. They will have a big ego, what will that be like? And it was obvious when I met him, “Oh, he's just a really nice, normal person.” The topic was: “Are we making a great video together?” And we were both open to direction and guidance, and there were no divas. It was really refreshing.
It didn't surprise me though. I had done enough research on J to know a little about who he was and where his heart was, and to see him in person felt like the universe just put it together. It was very relaxed and easy. It was just two artists having fun together which is what it should be.
The big picture
Balvin: I'm just thankful because I've always been a huge fan and the guys have given me the opportunity to continue to expand our sound. Because it's not about J Balvin, it's about our culture. The fact that they care about a Latino artist is something that makes me really proud of our culture.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/imagine-dragons-j-balvin-eyes-closed-story-1235676914/