The Lumineers – Cleopatra (Dualtone, 2016)
Coming off of their massively successful self-titled debut album in 2012, which featured the smash hit “Ho Hey,” The Lumineers surely knew the pressures of delivering with their sophomore album, Cleopatra. If their debut was boisterous, upbeat, and playful, the latter is more subdued, melancholic and contemplative. Since going from relative obscurity to global fame and selling out arenas across the globe, here we find a world-weary band that attempts to reconnect with their audience through intimacy. Fans expecting more of the same foot-stomping indie folk anthems may be slightly let down initially by this sudden restraint. Most importantly, however, Cleopatra also effectively showcases a band that has matured both lyrically and musically.
Trial Track: ”Ophelia”
7/10
