Cleopatra
by The Lumineers
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
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 7, 2016
    80
    It’s an album that coheres more effectively than did the first, and it’s one that shows an adventurousness while staying within sight of the elemental spirit of its inspiration.
  2. Mojo
    Apr 5, 2016
    80
    The quiet simplicity of In The Light, Long Way From Home or piano-led My Eyes suggests a delicacy within the songwriting pair of Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz that will prove far more satisfying in the long run than any future Top 10 Success. [May 2016, p.88]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 8, 2016
    75
    Cheesy at times? Maybe. Still, the Lumineers fill the mainstream roots-rock void left vacant since Mumford & Sons went electric.
  5. The New York Times
    Apr 6, 2016
    70
    It’s a move away from crowd-pleasing ditties, a valiant turn inward and, at times--in “Gale Song,” “In the Light” and “Angela”--the songs reach a distillation of yearning and solitude. But over the course of an entire album, a glint of the Lumineers’ old whimsy would have helped.
  6. Paste Magazine
    Apr 8, 2016
    68
    While Cleopatra may seduce the faithful, it would be far better if next time The Lumineers are able to regain their groove.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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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
  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: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.    … Full Review »
  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'tIn 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.    … Full Review »
  3. 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    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.    … Full Review »
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