Wesley Shultz and Jeremiah Fraites return to produce The Lumineers’ fifth album “Automatic,” released on February 14, 2025. Although released on Valentine’s Day, the album has nothing to do with the holiday of celebrating love. “Automatic” brings back the original sounds of The Lumineers, reflecting the style from albums like “The Lumineers” and “Cleopatra” but tying in modern issues important to them.
The album focuses on discussing the modern world and many of the issues that it comes with, Shultz described their album as it “explores some of the absurdities of the modern world, like the increasingly blurry line between what’s real and what’s not and the variety of ways we numb ourselves while trying to combat both boredom and overstimulation,” which Shultz posted to Instagram five weeks before the album’s release. It creates a sharp contrast between some of their past albums which explore human connection and storytelling. “Automatic” really leans into discussing common issues that the population can relate to, like being disconnected, feeling like you are in the same loop or always reaching for more when you already have so much in front of you. The Lumineers challenge developing technology, attitudes and habits through their song writing in their new album.
The album itself is short presenting 11 songs that have a total runtime of 33 minutes and is full of strong messages and dialogue. The band released “Same Old Song” before the album’s release. Being the first on the album, it sounds like past songs they’ve released while its message talks about being alone in such a big world. It’s reminiscent of a world where individuals feel alone, nothing goes right and there’s a feeling of being stuck. The Lumineers also released two additional songs before February 14, “You’re All I Got” and “So Long.” The song “You’re All I Got” is much more somber and emotional as it presents an idea about deep connections running between people. It becomes a discussion about holding on to your lifeline and not being able to let go. “So Long” rounds out the album continuing the commentary on modern day life. It’s raw and emotional. The band described their process of creating the song and Fraites mentions how their second quick take made the record because it was the band’s most relaxed and connected sound providing their song with the emotion that it needed.
Like all Lumineers’ albums, instrumental songs always make the cut and “Automatic” is no different. “Sunflower” and “Strings” fill that role providing breaks between strongly charged lyrics that are prominent throughout the album. The instrumental “Sunflower” was highly anticipated as the melody from “Patience” an instrumental from the album, “Cleopatra” was featured. This connects an album from the past to one of the present and allows listeners to have a brief moment of recollection and reflection.
The Lumineers accompany the release of “Automatic” with a European and American tour that fans are highly anticipating.
