Cleopatra
by The Lumineers
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 67
  3. Negative: 10 out of 67
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  1. proterospongia
    Apr 9, 2016
    7
    4 years after their bold debut, The Lumineers comeback with an album that defines what the folk-pop movement they were a part was back then: appealing, satisfying, but too monochromatic e monotonous at times. Cleopatra is a solid record, beautifully executed and composed, but breaks no new ground, neither sounds fresh. If you weren't into The Lumineers back in 2012, you won't be now.4 years after their bold debut, The Lumineers comeback with an album that defines what the folk-pop movement they were a part was back then: appealing, satisfying, but too monochromatic e monotonous at times. Cleopatra is a solid record, beautifully executed and composed, but breaks no new ground, neither sounds fresh. If you weren't into The Lumineers back in 2012, you won't be now.

    Best Track: Ophelia, Cleopatra, Angela.    … Expand
  2. wrognibene
    Apr 19, 2016
    6
    In their sophomore album, the Lumineers produced a record filled with the stories of people. There's Ophelia, a woman you know you shouldn't fall for but it's hard not to (and also a metaphor for fame). There's Cleopatra, who's seen a lot and lived a full life, but missed out on the love of her life - she also conveniently parallels the Cleopatra of the ancients. And of course, Angela,In their sophomore album, the Lumineers produced a record filled with the stories of people. There's Ophelia, a woman you know you shouldn't fall for but it's hard not to (and also a metaphor for fame). There's Cleopatra, who's seen a lot and lived a full life, but missed out on the love of her life - she also conveniently parallels the Cleopatra of the ancients. And of course, Angela, running from something to find her way home...even if home isn't a place so much as a person.

    Cleopatra, the album, has a few more good characters but unfortunately these three are really the only truly memorable ones. The Lumineers still embrace their folksy, Americana sound in the best way, but between the magic of their breakthrough album, and the forgettable middle songs, some of this record falls through the cracks. That's not to say the other songs are not good; White Lie is powerfully somber and Gun Song, despite it's name, clearly has deeper meaning. I'd be lying if I said I could even remember the titles of many other songs, however. Perhaps they'll grow on me, but for now I'll have to give Cleopatra a 6/10.    … Expand
  3. dhoskins
    Apr 19, 2016
    8
    This album sounds amazing, much more resonant and polished and sparse than their debut, both in the vocals and in the production. Wesley Schultz's singing sounds more confident and packs more emotional punch. The songs are more melodic. Ophelia recaptures all the slow drama of Hey Ho, but benefits from improved production and an awesome noodly piano line. Other standouts include SleepThis album sounds amazing, much more resonant and polished and sparse than their debut, both in the vocals and in the production. Wesley Schultz's singing sounds more confident and packs more emotional punch. The songs are more melodic. Ophelia recaptures all the slow drama of Hey Ho, but benefits from improved production and an awesome noodly piano line. Other standouts include Sleep on the Floor, Cleopatra and Angela. The remainder of the album is very pleasant, if not particularly notable.… Expand
  4. JoeO
    Jun 8, 2016
    2
    Very disappointing sophomore album. Lacks the creativity and imagery offered in the first album which made them unique. The whole thing is far too slow, making a half hour album feel like it takes all day to finish. Slow songs were good in the first album because of the pace of there songs, too many in a row makes the album boring and dull
  5. sheiser
    Apr 8, 2016
    7
    The Lumineers produced a fresh follow-up to their first album, after a three year hiatus. Unlike their debut album, Cleopatra is generally full of emotional acoustic tracks. It's beautiful and even tear-jerking at times. Songs like "Long Way From Home" and "Sick In The Head" are enough to highlight how lyrically dark the album is. It's truly beautiful and in some ways superior to theirThe Lumineers produced a fresh follow-up to their first album, after a three year hiatus. Unlike their debut album, Cleopatra is generally full of emotional acoustic tracks. It's beautiful and even tear-jerking at times. Songs like "Long Way From Home" and "Sick In The Head" are enough to highlight how lyrically dark the album is. It's truly beautiful and in some ways superior to their first album.… Expand
  6. Tonyo
    Apr 18, 2016
    7
    4 ans après The Lumineers, album éponyme du groupe, les américains sont de retour avec Cleopatra. Ce nouvel album est dans la continuité du 1er: des sons pop-folk qui ne sont pas sans rappeler Mumford & Sons. Un album bien sympa.
  7. joaofelin
    Feb 24, 2018
    9
    Sleep on the Floor - 8
    Ophelia - 9
    Cleopatra - 8
    Gun Song - 8
    Angela - 10
    In the Light - 10
    Gale Song - 10
    Long Way from Home - 10
    Sick in the Head - 9
    My Eyes - 10
    Patience -

    score: 9,2
  8. Smiles360
    Apr 21, 2017
    8
    A well written sophmore album from the Lumineers and it works very well. Their first album was much faster and up beat, almost like an immature teenager. This one feels more mature, almost like a college student ready to face the world and brave the challenges that it brings, and it works
  9. asdsadsadasd
    May 16, 2020
    10
    Eu achava esse album bem mais ou menos até compreender ele.
    Nesse álbum, The Lumineers foram ousados e decidiram profundizar nas relações modernas: nos medos, dúvidas e esperanças e colocaram tudo isso em composições mais maduras e ritmos mais romanticos, sonoricamente com algumas músicas especificas como "Ophelia" voce pode ter o desejo de se levantar e balançar conforme o ritmo, sao    Eu achava esse album bem mais ou menos até compreender ele.
    Nesse álbum, The Lumineers foram ousados e decidiram profundizar nas relações modernas: nos medos, dúvidas e esperanças e colocaram tudo isso em composições mais maduras e ritmos mais romanticos, sonoricamente com algumas músicas especificas como "Ophelia" voce pode ter o desejo de se levantar e balançar conforme o ritmo, sao músicas muito confortáveis e prazerosas de se ouvir, que parecem distribuir aleatoriamente uma sensação de alegria mas também de melancolia, é um trabalho incrível que pode ser considerado apenas como "aceitável" quando nao se entende tudo o que eles querem dizer.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2016
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Blurt Magazine
    May 31, 2016
    60
    Quieter and striking a more somber tone than their Grammy-nominated first record, it sounds as if the band went out of its way to tone down the catchiness of their initial offering. But the softer focus put the lyrics front and center and that’s, in part, what separates The Lumineers from the slew of bands that came after trying to replicate the success of “Ho Hey”.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 15, 2016
    60
    If the Lumineers debut record was a representation of their metaphorical college years, Cleopatra is definitely their more mature, but confused, post-grad understanding of fame.
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  3. AllMusic
    Apr 14, 2016
    60
    There's something admirable about the album's solemnity: the Lumineers are on a quest to be taken seriously, and even if they overplay their hand, the earnestness is ingratiating.
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