The Lumineers are back with a new album today, February 14. Automatic follows Brightside from 2022, and Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites are more connected as friends and bandmates than they’ve ever been. They announced the album with the singles “You’re All I Got” and “So Long,” the latter of which rose to No. 8 on the Alternative chart. They’ve also announced the Automatic World Tour, with shows at iconic venues in Denver, Boston, Chicago, and more.
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Automatic is the duo’s fifth album since they emerged in 2012 with their self-titled debut. From there it was the critically acclaimed Cleopatra in 2016. They’re known for the bright, catchy tunes and infectious lyrics of “Ho Hey” and “Ophelia,” which appeared on their first two albums. Automatic retains their signature of shrouding darker themes in upbeat melodies, but their lyrics are much more vulnerable and raw this time around.
Schultz and Fraites each have two children (Shultz’s kids were born around 2018 and 2020, while Fraites’ were born around 2019 and 2022) and their families were forced to navigate the intricacies and messiness of new life through the pandemic. The result of their combined experiences of parenthood during a global crisis have birthed Automatic. This is the duo at their most raw, vulnerable, and emotionally connected.
As Fraites described in a press release, Automatic contains “a palpable sense of connection between Wes and me. There’s lots of love on this record.” The album is a response to the question of need: the need for love, respect, closeness, and emotional connection.
The Lumineers Push Themselves to New Limits on Automatic
The magic of Automatic not only comes from its writing and composition. The Lumineers recorded with a specific sound in mind at Utopia Studios. They kept multiple setups of mics, amps, and instruments to cut down on delay when switching between instruments. According to a press release, they had two sets of drums, three pianos, and multiple guitars, amps, and mics set up in the studio. This enabled them to capture as much raw magic as they could.
Of the track “So Long,” Schultz said, “We truly did that song live, in the moment. I think there’s a magic in there, and that’s what you hear coming off that track.” As the album closer, “So Long” is a rambling track that surrounds The Lumineers’ darker imagery in lush, loping melody.
“You’re All I Got,” released as the second single, pushes Schultz’s vocals to their limit, creating a sense of desperation. “It’s on the edge of where I can hit a note, so you feel that tension,” said Schultz. “When you’re saying to someone, ‘You’re all I got,’ it carries that same raw emotion.”
Automatic represents The Lumineers at a new stage in their individual lives and collaborative career. There’s a vulnerable emotional thread that connects Schultz and Fraites as friends and bandmates, which in turn is woven throughout the album to create a cohesive musical tapestry.
Featured Image by Noa Griffel
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