Album Review: The Lumineers – Automatic
3 min read
The Lumineers have fast become the face of American folk rock. Already one of the most successful touring bands in the USA, their catchy tracks such as Ophelia and Cleopatra have been getting a second life on the video music platform TikTok. Returning to the studio for their first album in three years the band aims to explore modern topics surrounding the internet and changing realities in their album Automattic.
The opening track Same Old Song is also one of the most fast-paced and obviously folk feeling songs on the album. The rapid beat is reminiscent of hits such as Ho Hey, and gives the track the early 2010s feel. A fact addressed in the ironic lyrics about reflecting on the past and singing the Same Old Song. The second track Asshole keeps the same tongue-in-cheek humour with the lyrics “the first time we met you thought I was an asshole, probably correct”. The song has the same rapid beat line as Same Old Song, though it is downplayed by stringed vocals and light piano. Despite light-hearted lyrics, the album seems to take a more downbeat style than previous albums. You’re All I’ve Got is a slow piano ballad style song, with heart-wrenching lyrics and debate vocals begging a lover not to leave signing “your all I’ve Got”
You’re All I’ve Got seems to be completed in Keys on the Table a slow entreating ballad that repeats the lyric “you’re all I’ve got” throughout. The soft vocals and guitar and tambourine studded backing give it a 70s feel showcasing a key inspiration for the album the Beatles documentary “Get Back”. The inspiration lends the album a different feel to previous Lumineers outings, the live cut tracks having a shorter more confessional feel than previous studio productions. This tone is continued in the titular track Automatic as the song asks “Oh lover is it ever gonna be enough”. The deceptively light piano backing sound tracking a rising ballad-style chorus.
This confessional style continues throughout the multiple songs that address contemporary topics. Ativan is named for an anti-anxiety drug, sung from the point of view of the drug as they sing “If I can’t make you happy then nobody can”. The song is light and catchy as the infectious bridge espouses the mind-numbing effects “i’ll proved the poison and the medicine”. It’s an intriguing track delving into the culture of medical intervetion. The most topical track is A Better Day, described by songwriter Schultz as an “apocalyptic lullaby”. The song addresses protests and politics “teenagers lead the crusade, senators insider trade” and doom-scrolling “blue light keeps red eyes awake” The lyrics are simple but effective and suit the lullaby style as Schultz sings “Can’t we scroll back and delete it?”.
Automatic takes a slower pace than previous Lumineers’ outings with with clever lyrics and just enough of their trademark drumline to keep the songs catchy. With their established fanbase and ongoing success, The Lumineers can afford to take a risk, and the new live style pays off lending the album a more mature and contemplative tone.
