Despite a Valentine’s Day release date, The Lumineers’ newest album “Automatic” takes a dark turn, filled with anxiety-threaded songs that center on struggles with depression rather than love. The album, written by founding members Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, takes listeners on a cyclical journey filled with haunting melodies and intricate lyrics.
Founded in 2005, The Lumineers first gained popularity with the release of their hit single “Ho Hey” in 2012. Since then, they have continued to release popular songs, including “Ophelia” (2016), which has more than 1.4 billion streams on Spotify. The band is known for their folk style infused with elements of country and rock music, a sound that carries through on “Automatic.”
“Automatic” begins with “Same Old Song,” an upbeat yet mournful song with a repetitive chorus that perfectly conveys the feeling of being stuck in one spot in life, an idea that is carried throughout the album. The song begins with lead singer Schultz chanting over a fast drumbeat, creating a stomp-and-holler sound typical of The Lumineers. Anxiety builds as more instruments are added to the drumbeat and Schultz’s chanting turns into anguished singing. The acronym for “Same Old Song” is SOS, alluding to a cry for help that is audible through Schutz’s lyrics and emotion as he sings “I don’t know what’s wrong with me/ I killed the mood so naturally.”
The second song, “Asshole,” begins by continuing the fast-paced and anxious energy established in “Same Old Song.” The intensity slowly dwindles throughout the song, creating a smooth transition into the rest of the album, which is largely composed of slow ballads. The album’s title track and third song on the album, “Automatic,” is a haunting ballad sung in a deep register. Schutz repeatedly asks “Oh, my lover, is it ever gonna be enough?” conveying a desperate feeling of insecurity in a relationship.
The Lumineers’ brilliant lyricism shines in “You’re All I Got,” a song about needing to hold onto a relationship while simultaneously grappling with external struggles concerning family and fame. The phrase “you’re all I got” is repeated throughout the song as a way to ground the singer, a mantra that is also prominent in “Keys on the Table.” While the song “You’re All I Got” uses the mantra to indicate a glimmer of hope, Schultz is somber as he sings it in “Keys on the Table,” creating the idea that the singer is resigned to the idea that their love wants to leave them.
The theme of codependency in a relationship is further explored with the song “Ativan,” as Schutz compares himself to the drug used to treat anxiety, singing “If I can’t make you happy then nobody can/ your sweet Ativan.” “Ativan” is the album’s most romantic song, with a melody that’s both cheerful and light while still containing a hint of sadness within the lyrics.
“Plasticine” is the most refreshingly unique song on the album, with staccato background instrumentals. The melody aptly travels from low to high throughout the song as Schultz compares himself to plasticine, a clay-like material used to mold different shapes, singing “I can bend me into anything you need.” The discomfort of feeling the need to change who you are is beautifully conveyed through the rigidity of the chorus’ melody.
Compared to the rest of the album, the slow ballad “Better Day” is extremely forgettable. A single piano accompanies Schultz as he sings, playing a monotonous melody that makes the song drag on. The lyrics lament societal problems such as social media and political corruption in a way that does not add anything new to the conversation about the distressing state of the world.
The Lumineers saved the best for last on this album, as the final song, titled “So Long,” is the strongest both lyrically and sonically. “So Long” was recorded in only two takes, making it filled with raw emotion. Although the song’s title, sweeping violin instrumental and dramatic melody illustrate setting off on a journey and leaving the past behind, the lyrics tell a different story. Schultz conveys the feeling of sinking even deeper into depression, as he sings “Sit in isolation all the time/ I’ll be on the ocean in your eyes” and begs “Won’t somebody break up my coma?”
“So Long” ends the album with the same agonizing emotions of feeling stuck with no way out established in “Same Old Song.” It seems that The Lumineers are truly stuck singing the “Same Old Song.” Although the cyclical nature of the album seems to suggest a sense of hopelessness, the songs contain enough variety to create the illusion of change. Listening to the album is ultimately a cathartic experience, as it gives listeners space to process their own emotions and be released from the cycle when the album is finished.
