The Lumineers are a pretty popular group. They first became famous off TikTok when their song “Ophelia” went viral across the platform. After that, the Denver-based indie band received more attention on all their songs, including “Cleopatra” and “Ho Hey.” These catchy tunes found their way to top 40 radio with their smooth dynamics and subtle energy. Their newest album “Brightside” still has the features, but they’ve dulled. What could have been another amazing album of songs with a perfect vibe is just okay. 

The title track starts the album off strong. It’s an uplifting song about being the “bright side” of someone’s life. This is one of the very few songs in the album that is actually happy and uplifting and is a great opener for the mixed bag of an album. The band immediately dives into the saddest song of the album, “A.M. Radio.” The whole vibe of the song is just super deflating and the antithesis of the joy of “Brightside.” This sets off a string of melancholy tunes, the most memorable being “Big Shot.” The song is all about how the singer wants to be something, and how he can’t be something big because it’s really hard to get to the big time. I would not recommend listening to these songs while in a good mood–they have a palpable heaviness. 

There are a few songs after these that are sort of uplifting, like “We Are We” and “Birthday,” but they never rise to the level of the first track. These songs play on themes of encouragement and motivation, but fail to do what similar songs by Katy Perry and Dua Lipa do: pump you up. The songs still use some minor notes, some slow beats, and rhythms that don’t get the blood pumping. It’s not that the mellow songwriting of The Lumineers can’t tackle positive and uplifting topics, but these songs feel plodding and hallow with a lack of real connection to the topic.

Overall, the entire album was decent but nothing too special. “Brightside” is a solid hit, but it’s the only song on the album that’s worthy of a playlist. The album is good for the days when you just aren’t feeling it, as even the happy songs are a little subdued, and its mercifully short. I suggest you give it a try as it might be for you–I just wasn’t feeling it. As The Lumineers keep getting more successful, I hope that their sound will continue maturing into something with the same energy that made them famous in the first place.