Grace Cardinal, Editor-in-Chief
I am honestly ashamed to say I’ve been a member of this publication for three years now, and this is my first time ever writing a Jasper Jams. However, it is quite fitting that my first go-around for this column would be for The Lumineers’ first album release since I began college. For those who may not know, my blood, and Spotify, run for The Lumineers. I attended both tours for their albums III and Brightside (and yes, also have my name down for presale for this time around). The band’s newest album, Automatic, released on Valentine’s Day, and I could not have thought of a better way to celebrate.
According to the band’s Instagram announcement of the album, Automatic, “explores some of the absurdities of the modern world, like the increasingly blurry line between what’s real and what’s not, and the variety of ways we numb ourselves while trying to combat both boredom and overstimulation.” Every song on this album has such a deep meaning behind it no matter how the listener interprets it. So, without any further adieu, here’s my ranking of the songs on the album, from the ones I’ve had on repeat since release to the ones that didn’t quite make the cut for my personal playlist.
Same Old Song (SOS)
This song was the one that the band used to tease the album, and for good reason, I’d rank this one second overall. It has a very traditional Lumineers feel, with the energy that they’re known for coming through unapologetically. I found that this song lays the framework for the rest of the album and its messaging in a very calculated and intentional way.
Favorite Lyrics: The party has been done for hours/I’m laying on the bathroom tile/Spilling all my guts below the throne
Asshole
This one probably ranks around fifth on the album for me. I really love the piano introduction, but found that the build up doesn’t match what feels like a low-energy chorus. The intro line is reminiscent of some of the songs off of Cleopatra, which is probably why I like it so much. This all being said, the lyricism in this song is one of my favorites on the album.
Favorite Lyrics: And all the twenty-something mannequins/Their hearts are barely broken in/But maybe I’m just a coward envyin’ the brave.
Strings
This short 32-second piece is one of two instrumental-only pieces on the album. While it’s gotten mixed reviews, I found this to be a nice break in the album. I also think that The Lumineers have some amazing instrumentalists in their band, so I’m all for any chance to showcase them.
Automatic
While SOS served as the tease for the album, this song is its namesake. For the theme of the album, Automatic is much more somber than I would’ve expected. I think this is one of the songs on the album that plays into the “combatting overstimulation” part of its description. This one rates around sixth overall for me. It isn’t bad, it just wasn’t one that stuck with me.
Favorite Lyrics: And the nursery rhymes/You learned when you were only five/They’re darker than the dead of night/We sang ’em just the same
You’re All I Got
This is absolutely hands down my number one favorite for this album. I played it so many times in the first days of its release that I already know the lyrics by heart. Everything about this piece – the lyrics, the instrumentals, the rhythm, I fell in love with instantly. There’s something so soft about it, yet you want to scream the lyrics. I can only hope that this one will become a staple at their concerts going forward (it certainly has become one on my playlist), and if I had to recommend one song off the album for everyone to listen to, I would send them here.
Favorite Lyrics: And I can’t give it up/like Sisyphus below the rock
Plasticine
This one ranks closer to the bottom of the album for me. Something about the introductory chords turns me off and I feel like it takes away from what is actually a very powerful message in the song. This was another one that hasn’t stuck with me and that I’ve been skipping more than playing.
Favorite Lyrics: Plasticine, I can bend me into anything you need/Self-assured with the teleprompters feedin’ you the words
Ativan
This one is once again up there as one of my favorites on the album, ranking around third. It’s one of those songs that you can immediately pick up the beat of and want to sing along to, even if you don’t know the lyrics. Listening to this song immediately transports my mind to dancing with someone in the streets on a warm summer night. As the title suggests, the song reminds you of that one person who’s even better than your anxiety medicine. The lyrics for this song are just so cohesive and ingenious its impossible not to immediately fall in love with them.
Favorite Lyrics: I’ll be on the bullet train to Neverland/Your enemy with benefits, we’rе free/I’ll provide the poison and the mеdicine/The only thing you’re ever gonna need
Keys on the Table
While an emerging fan favorite, this one ranks around seventh for me on the album. While I like it, I’m always a bigger fan of the more energetic Lumineers songs and this one is certainly more low-key. What I will say: the reference back to “You’re All I Got” gave this one an added meaning and made it one of the necessary connectors for listening to the album from top to bottom. If you’re looking for an addition to your chill playlist, this one is definitely the one for you.
Favorite Lyrics: And, honestly I feel ashamed to breathe/I can’t believe we lost to the machine
Better Day
In terms of the more relaxed songs on the album, this is probably my favorite. I’d put this one at fourth overall. The piano chords on this one are reminiscent of The Lumineers’ very first album, which are always feel-good throwback staples on my playlists. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I think this will become one of my new go-tos. This is another one that it’s worth giving the lyrics a closer look to really understand the messaging.
Favorite Lyrics: Teenagers lead the crusades/Senators, insider trades/Blue lights keep red eyes awake/Teenagers lead the parade
Sunflowers
Sunflowers is the second purely instrumental song on this album, this one clocking it at just over a minute long. I love the placement of these instrumental pieces in the album – I feel like they add so much tone and emotion to the album as a whole, and allow listeners to sit and appreciate the lyricism of the songs they do sing in even more. The lead in from the end of ‘Sunflowers’ into ‘So Long’ is also flawlessly executed.
So Long
While an appropriate finale to the album, this one also ranks pretty low on my overall scale. I would’ve loved to see one final burst of energy to finish out Automatic, and I found this one to be fairly low-key. This being said, the lyrics in this song wove together the others from throughout the album which I appreciated. You can tell that this song was well-thought out and intentional as the final puzzle piece, leaving its interpretation up to each listener.
Favorite Lyrics: Sit in isolation all the time/I’ll be on the ocean in your eyes/Tell it on the mountain, “He’s arrived”/Maybe we’ll be famous when we die