ILLUMINATING LIFE
The Lumineers' 10-Part Music Video Series
The Lumineers released a 10-part music video series that chronicles all the songs on its latest album. The first piece is a tribute to Donna, a wife who breaks down emotionally, after having a child. The second cut, “Life in the City,” documents a tough life of wild, raunchy sex and alcohol abuse. The videos continue with dark themes: a mother’s depression degenerates to include alcoholism and a father’s grief descends into drug addiction.
Each one digitally chronicles the progression of drug and alcohol addictions in America. The songs are the backdrop of videos that illustrate the album III released September 13. The powerful melodies and poignant vocals describe the history, pain and struggles of unknown people. We see how violence may cause self-harm and that cycles of violence can emerge from the distorted interactions of children and parents. Other adult themes also echo throughout.
The final video weaves together all of the characters from the series. In a rehab-like setting, they gather in front of the female character’s house to reflect on the music. In “Salt and the Sea,” the Lumineers revisit all of them plus themes of violence, substance abuse and lack of control. It ends with a dramatic exchange between an injured father and son and a bag of money allegedly stolen by the son. The Lumineers offer up a masterpiece, it’s a musical project that illustrates their creativity. The album is getting rave reviews and we here at PROVOKR love it, too. So give it a listen and enjoy the videos.
