‘Automatic’ By The Lumineers Embraces Imperfection and Emotions
The famous rock band The Lumineers has always been known for their ability to create stories into stripped-back arrangements, and their fifth album ‘Automatic’' proves it. This collection of tracks is a masterful blend of nostalgia, love, and vulnerability. At the same time, it shows the ability of the iconic duo’s evolution without sacrificing their signature sound.
In an interview with Colorado Sound, Wesley Schultz reflected on the album’s creation, saying, “We made this album without much editing or rehearsing of the songs. I think this one has a lot more fire, and it’s like a candid photo of us.” This makes the collection of tracks feel even more personal and urgent, as if you were reading someone’s diary in real time. Recorded in Woodstock, New York, ‘Automatic’ reflects the band's unfiltered journey to capture authenticity, and it can capture the duo’s evolution to their folk-rock roots.
The second track on the album, “Asshole” is the perfect lost-love anthem. The track opens up with tension between suppressing emotions and the instance of doing wrong, “And I know what you said to me was wrong / But kindness came and bit my tongue.” Suggesting that even positive emotions can be uncomfortable when they prevent authentic expression of how someone is truly feeling. This song is accompanied by driving piano chords and Schultz’s vocal delivery that help the listener truly understand the meaning behind this song.
“Keys on the Table” talks about dependency and the need to try to “fix” someone you truly care about. The song’s lyrics carry heavy weight; they rely on repetition and help paint a picture of someone’s struggles. “If I can’t make you happy, then nobody can / Then nobody can, your sweet Ativan.” These lyrics reference Ativan, a medication that is used to treat anxiety, and it symbolizes the coping mechanism of the singer. This line also reflects the narrator’s sense of responsibility for the other person’s happiness, a role that can be self-imposed.
The final song on the album, “So Long “, is a slow-paced song that talks about the fleeting nature of moments that feel grand, whether it’s self-discovery or connection. “Sit in isolation all the time / I’ll be on the ocean in your eyes / Tell it on the mountain “he’s arrived” / Everybody’s famous for a while” are lyrics that evoke feelings of loneliness, this isolation could be the reflect of the internal state of processing emotional burden, and causes the isolation from the chaos of the world while at the same time critiquing the modern day obsession with validation or temporary fame, suggesting that those moments will ultimately fade into insignificance in the future.
‘Automatic’ feels like a series of cinematic films placed together in a collection, as it feels like each song is telling its own story while contributing to a larger narrative. This album perfectly captured the unguarded and vulnerable moments of human life. This album is crafted to make it feel both timely, honest, and timeless, making it real. For fans of The Lumineers, ‘Automatic’ offers a deeply moving experience that lingers in your mind long after the audio has finished playing. This isn’t just an album but a story that dares to be vulnerable, making us reflect on beauty in imperfection.
