Indie-folk breakout act The Lumineers are back with the chart-topping album Cleopatra and another catchy hit in “Ophelia.”

Four years after their self-titled debut, the Lumineers have released Cleopatra, which held the number one spot on the iTunes charts for nearly a week after its release. The style of their newest album is similar to their debut — acoustic-sounding guitar and piano dominate every track. Though the instrumentation is reminiscent of The Lumineers, the tracks’ more serious love themes stray from the jubilant and sometimes silly ideas of previous songs.

The first song, “Sleep On The Floor,” is a warm greeting to the album and gives an insight into what will come later. Lead vocalist Wesley Schultz sings of running away with a girl, his voice laced with a hopeful optimism that is impossible not to feel when you listen. The song doesn’t have a definite end, but seamlessly flows into “Ophelia,” the hit single from Cleopatra. Though the song opens with a strong kick drum beat and mournful piano melody, it soon picks up with a quick and exciting piano riff that catches the listener’s attention. Schultz’s catchy crooning of “O-o-phelia” garnered this song much radio play and the number one spot on the alternative chart for nine weeks.

Another standout song on the album, “Gun Song,” displays Schultz’s strong vocal ability. The control shown in the song is noteworthy; you can sense the power and potential behind his voice, yet he restrains it to uphold the integrity of the song. The slight drawl in his voice on this track adds to the fun feel. There are moments of lively shouting and exclamations of “la la la” create a lighthearted atmosphere around “Gun Song.”

Cleopatra comes to a close with “My Eyes” and “Patience.” With the emotion of a scorned lover, “My Eyes” sets a somber tone from the first note. The solitary guitar, along with Schultz’s vocals in the verses, is simple and quite beautiful. The emotion put into the chorus is palpable and makes your heart ache. In practice, “My Eyes” and “Patience” are one song, seeing as there is no break in between the two, or change in tone. “Patience” is a mournful instrumental piano track that nicely wraps up the album, giving the listener time to reflect and soak in what they’ve heard.

Overall, Cleopatra is a well-produced album that is able to conjure emotion and project sincerity. The honest writing on this album is heartfelt and personal, which adds to the appeal and provides relatable tracks. The Lumineers were able to balance upbeat and haunting songs expertly. The album flow is impeccable — each song is seamlessly connected to the next and never feels forced. Though Cleopatra has quite a short runtime at only 33 minutes, it is not short on content. The Lumineers are sure to be on the music scene for years to come.

If you enjoyed Cleopatra, The Lumineers will be in St. Louis on June 12.

Favorite Tracks: “My Eyes” and “Angela”

Least Favorite Track: “Sick In The Head”

Rating: 9/10