The Lumineers Take On Darker Subjects in “Automatic”
The Lumineers are back with their first studio album since 2022. The duo is back with their signature folk-pop instrumentals, but this time with some darker subjects. Automatic feels like a letter reminiscing on a bygone era and also facing ahead at the difficult realities that are unfolding. Each track melts into one another with their famous folksy instrumentals.
The album opens up with “Same Old Song” about how time passes, but things still seem to remain the same. It’s not clear if it’s about a loved one in a relationship, but I would argue it’s a telling comment on the current political climate. We seem to be singing the same old song when it comes to issues of race, gender, and sexuality. It’s a short track but packs a punch.
Then we move into “Asshole” which is probably my least favorite track on the album. The track tells the story of a couple who are seemingly in a fight in their relationship. The singer’s perspective is sharing how “First we ever met / You thought I was an asshole.” The track continues as the fight goes on. I really enjoyed the instrument side of things, I was not a fan of the story being told.
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We flow into the next song, “Strings” which is a gorgeous instrumental track. You can’t deny that Jeremiah Fraites has a knack for creating a soundscape. The music swells as we head into our next track. “Automatic” is a lovely stripped-down piano track. You can feel the melancholy nature of Wesley Schultz's vocals. The lyrics seem odd in places, but the meaning of living life automatically is enough. “Oh my lover is it ever gonna be enough? / Automatic / It’s automatic.”
The tracks from this point are the strongest in terms of lyrics and production. The next tracks I feel are the most cohesive, especially in terms of lyrical storytelling. There’s almost a tipping point that takes place from “Automatic” where the songs start to discuss the world and current events. “Better Day” is the climax it seems with going into more detail about everything that is happening. “Teenagers lead crusades / Senators, insider trades.” I believe this is about how Gen Z has been very political online and helped spearhead a lot of movements against government policies and even the government itself.
Another stellar track that is in the later half of the album is “Plasticine”. The singer talks about how they can become anyone a person wants. It does a great job of cleverly critiquing how fake the music industry can feel. “Radio is active / Your success is so attractive to us.” This harkens to a feeling many in the industry have discussed about feeling like a commodity to label executives.
The conclusion of the album starts with another transformative instrumental track. “Sunflowers” makes you feel like there’s almost hope in this bleak world. It is short like the previous ones but still makes you feel all one minute and 19 seconds of it. The piano work is once again stunning. We finally end on “So Long”. In terms of album conclusions, it feels like another odd choice. While the title is fitting, the lyrics discuss an ending relationship. It’s lonely and disheartening. It feels like the culmination of all the dark and dreadful themes and places we visited in this album in one folk/bluegrass song.
It is always great to hear new music from The Lumineers and this album is no different. The songs transport you into storylines and melodic dramas. I would’ve liked to see some stronger lyrics in some of the songs, but I am once again blown away by Jeremiah’s orchestral talents. “Better Day” and “Plasticine” really stuck with me. I enjoyed hearing the twists and turns of each new track and going on an audio journey with this new album. I hope The Lumineers stay with some of these darker themes and take another album to play in this space. I recommend you give Automatic a listen!
