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What Genre Is The Lumineers? (2025)

Published on May 28, 2025in Music Genres

Ever found yourself wondering: what genre are The Lumineers? It's a common question. Many artists take us on incredible musical journeys.

The Lumineers' genre isn't always a simple label. Their music style often mixes different sounds. This changes across their albums, painting a unique picture of artistic growth.

This post dives into the signature sounds of The Lumineers. We'll look at their genre evolution, album by album. We'll also touch on influences and themes that shape their music.

What Genre is The Lumineers?

To truly get The Lumineers music style, we need to look at their core genres. We also consider the influences that have crafted their distinctive sound.

Folk rock

At their heart, The Lumineers are a folk rock band. This is evident from their very first releases.

Their sound often features foundational acoustic guitar. Wesley Schultz's earnest vocals drive many songs. Early descriptions highlighted their "elemental instrumentation" including guitar, cello, and drums.

The music often has a "primal, pounding folk" energy. You can hear influences like marching-band snares and singalong choruses. This gives their folk rock a very accessible, communal feel.

Indie folk

As their sound evolved, The Lumineers increasingly embraced an indie folk identity. This label appears with later albums.

Indie folk often means a more nuanced or contemporary take on traditional folk. For The Lumineers, this involved exploring more complex lyrical narratives. It also brought a thoughtful, sometimes more introspective, mood to their music.

This shift saw them create concept albums. They delved into deeper themes while retaining their melodic core.

The Lumineers genre evolution across albums

The best way to see The Lumineers music style change is to listen chronologically. Each album gives a new view of their genre path. It shows their artistic story and the sounds that shaped them.

The Lumineers (2012)

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The band's self-titled debut, The Lumineers, firmly established their folk rock sound. It burst onto the scene with infectious energy.

Critics noted its inventive tracks. The music felt communal, built on guitar, cello, and drums. Call-and-response vocals were a key feature.

This album was described as gritty and determined. It had a primal, pounding folk quality. The sound was lean, avoiding overproduction and hinting at influences like The Kingston Trio.


Cleopatra (2016)

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Four years later, Cleopatra arrived. It largely continued the folk rock trajectory set by their debut.

Based on the available information, this album reinforced the band's established sound. It carried forward their successful formula of heartfelt storytelling and engaging, acoustic-driven melodies.

Cleopatra cemented their appeal within the folk revival movement. It showed a consistency in their musical style, emphasizing relatable lyrics and memorable hooks.


III (2019)

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With III, The Lumineers moved into more ambitious territory. This album marked a clear shift towards indie folk with a strong conceptual backbone.

The album is structured in three chapters. Each focuses on a different member of the fictional Sparks family. This narrative approach was a significant evolution.

Thematically, III explored the heavy impact of addiction on families. This weighty subject matter was reflected in a musical style described as deliberate and sometimes "dreary." It was a bold, artistic statement.


BRIGHTSIDE (2022)

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The Lumineers' fourth album, BRIGHTSIDE, continued their indie folk journey. It was produced by Simone Felice and David Baron.

Most of the instrumentation was handled by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites themselves. This perhaps contributed to a focused, direct sound.

The title track was reportedly recorded in a single day. This suggests an element of spontaneity in its creation. The album received generally favorable reviews, maintaining their indie folk style.


Automatic (2025)

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Looking ahead, Automatic signals a continuation of The Lumineers' indie folk path. David Baron returned as producer for this fifth studio album.

The album was recorded swiftly, in under a month. This quick process might lend a certain rawness or immediacy to the songs.

Lyrically, Automatic is set to explore modern absurdities. Themes include the blurring lines between reality and illusion. It also touches on how we cope with boredom and overstimulation in today's world.


FAQs about The Lumineers' genre

Q: Are The Lumineers primarily folk or rock?

A: The Lumineers blend both. They are often categorized as folk rock or indie folk. Their music builds on acoustic foundations but frequently incorporates rock's energy and anthemic qualities.

Q: What kind of themes do The Lumineers sing about?

A: Their songs often tell stories about love, loss, and everyday life. Later albums like III have delved into more complex concepts, such as the impact of addiction on families.


So, what genre are The Lumineers? It’s a rich blend. Their music is a story of folk roots growing into nuanced indie expressions.

The Lumineers music style shows a clear evolution. From raw folk rock energy to conceptual indie folk narratives, their journey is fascinating. Each album adds a new layer to their sound.

What do you think about the genre of The Lumineers? Which album best shows their sound for you?