New Album Review: The Lumineers- Brightside

The Lumineers- Brightside

Label: Dualtone

Producers: Simone Felice, David Baron, Brian Hubblen, Derek Brown, and Rick Mullen

The Lumineers’ fourth studio outing follows what was an ambitious concept album release with 2019’s III, and in many ways, it’s difficult not to feel like the looser and more discrete (at only nine songs, it clocks in right at 30 minutes), Brightside flies in the face of its predecessor a bit. And while the band never really abandoned their core sound in any significant way, this record feels most connected to their 2012 debut of anything that they’ve released since “Ho Hey” finished its impressive chart run. You won’t find anything as outrightly charming, optimistic or plucky as that hit here, though you also won’t find any of the classic rock theatrics that crept into their last two albums, beautifully as they may have done so. This leaves loads of breathing room for this collection of crisp and concise tracks, with the spotlight pointed squarely back on Wesley Schultz’s engaging vocals, Jeremiah Fraites’ lovely harmonies, and a delightfully stripped and acoustic-based backdrop. There’s a wintry, melancholic spirit throughout, however punchy cuts like the title track, “Never Really Mine”, and “A.M. Radio” make for memorable singalongs nonetheless. All in all, Brightside once again proves what was at the heart of the whole 2010s folk-rock movement that they helped define: that less still is more sometimes. And it’s that beautiful simplicity which results in another solid session from one of the past decade’s most durable acts.

Track Listing:

1. “Brightside” (Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites)
2. “A.M. Radio” (Schultz, Fraites)
3. “Where We Are” (Schultz, Fraites)
4. “Birthday” (Schultz, Fraites)
5. “Big Shot” (Schultz, Fraites)
6. “Never Really Mine” (Schultz, Fraites)
7. “Rollercoaster” (Schultz, Fraites)
8. “Remington” (Schultz, Fraites)
9. “Reprise” (Schultz, Fraites)