Four years in the making, The Lumineers' Cleopatra arrives as much more than just a follow-up to their Grammy-nominated debut. It's a raw, honest exploration of success, fame, and the personal price that comes with worldwide recognition. Recorded in the serene hills of upstate New York near Woodstock, this deluxe double slate vinyl edition captures the band at their most vulnerable and experimental.
With 1.7 million albums sold in the U.S. and 3 million worldwide, The Lumineers found themselves at a crossroads. How does a band stay true to their roots when the whole world knows their name? Cleopatra tackles these questions head-on. Songs like "Ophelia" and "Angela" examine the perils of sudden success, while "The Hanging Tree" (featured in The Hunger Games) showcases their ability to create cinematic moments that resonate far beyond folk music circles.
Produced by "shaman" Simone Felice, this album represents a deliberate expansion of The Lumineers' sonic palette. From the apocalyptic opener "Sleep on the Floor" to the orchestral closing instrumental "Patience," you'll hear influences ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Leonard Cohen. The die cut cover art isn't just packaging - it's a visual metaphor for the album's themes of breaking through barriers and seeing beyond surface appearances.
This deluxe double slate vinyl pressing offers an audiophile experience worthy of the album's intricate production. The rich, warm tones of vinyl bring out the subtle details - the fingers squeaking on guitar strings, the ghostly harmonies, and the dynamic range that gets lost in digital compression. Whether you're listening to the stream-of-consciousness "Sick in the Head" or the yearning build-up of "In the Light," you'll discover new layers with every play.
Cleopatra isn't just music - it's a conversation about what happens when dreams come true. It's for the late-night listeners who appreciate songwriting that speaks to both the heart and the mind. And it's for anyone who believes that true art requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to explore the shadows alongside the light.
