KIDinaKORNER/Interscope RecordsImagine Dragons' new single "Believer," the first track to be released from their forthcoming third album, deals a lot with Dan Reynolds' experience with pain -- both physical and emotional. The frontman has battled with depression, as well as a chronic inflammatory condition called ankylosing spondylitis, or AS.
"The meaning of the song is really reflecting on specific things in my life that were painful," Reynolds tells People. "Whether it was anxiety and dealing with crowds, feeling overwhelmed by that or the success of the band, disease, going through depression -- anything that was a source of pain in my life. And just rising above that, finding a place of perspective where I could be appreciative of the pain in my life and make it my greatest strength."
While "Believer" tackles feelings of pain, Reynolds feels that the new album, Imagine Dragons' first since 2015's Smoke + Mirrors, comes from a brighter place, which he says is reflected by the "Believer" single artwork.
"The artwork for 'Believer' really encompasses everything for me in a lot of ways," Reynolds explains. "This picture of a man walking in a dark vast space and arriving at a place of color and vibrant brilliant color. That's where I think I am right now and that's where the album leans towards."
"Smoke + Mirrors was kind of a dark place for me. 'Believer' kind of indicates that," he adds. "The art is an indicator for what's to come in a lot of ways."
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