Cleopatra is the second studio album by American indie folk band the Lumineers. The album was released in the United States on April 8, 2016, and contains the singles "Ophelia", "Cleopatra", "Angela" and "Sleep on the Floor". The album received positive reviews and commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200. It is the last album by the band to feature Neyla Pekarek, who left in October 2018 to pursue a solo career.
The cover is a photograph of actress Theda Bara.
Critical reception Cleopatra received positive reviews. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 67. PopMatters gave the album 60 points, saying : "If the Lumineers debut record was a representation of their metaphorical college years, Cleopatra is definitely their more mature, but confused, post-grad understanding of fame".
The Ballad of Cleopatra compilation music video The Ballad of Cleopatra is a compilation of the story in the music videos for Ophelia, Cleopatra, Sleep on the Floor, Angela and My Eyes, all songs from the album Cleopatra. The video was released on the Lumineers YouTube channel on April 27, 2017. As of March 5th, 2025 it has over 60 million views.
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from Cleopatra liner notes.
The Lumineers
Wesley Schultz – lead vocals (all tracks except 11), guitar (all tracks except 11), percussion (track 2, 3) Jeremiah Fraites – drums (all tracks except 8, 9, 11, 13), percussion (all tracks except 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14), piano (all tracks except 8, 9, 12, 13, 14), keyboards (track 9, 14) Neyla Pekarek – cello (track 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14), vocals (track 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14)
Additional Musicians
Byron Isaacs – bass guitar (all tracks except 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14), background vocals (track 1, 2, 4, 5, 10) Simon Felice – percussion (all tracks except 6, 8, 9, 11, 12), background vocals (track 2, 4) David Baron – keyboards (track 1, 7, 8, 9, 11) Lauren Jacobson – strings (track 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10), violin (track 8), background vocals (track 2, 4) Rick Mullen – guitar technique Abraham Hovey – guitar (track 12)
Artwork
The Kobal Collection – photography Daniel Quay – layout
Production
Simone Felice – production (all tracks except 13, 14) Jesse O'Brien – production (track 13, 14), recording (track 13, 14) Bod Ludwig – mastering Ryan Hewitt – mixing, recording (all tracks except 13, 14) Chad Cuttill – mixing assistance (all tracks except 13, 14)
Recording
Recorded at Clubhouse Recording Studios Mixed at House of Blues Studios, Nashville, TN Mastered at Gateway Mastering
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2016) Peakposition US Billboard 200 1
Year-end charts + Chart (2016) Position Canadian Albums (Billboard) 20 US Billboard 200 52 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 9 Chart (2017) Position Canadian Albums (Billboard) 44 US Billboard 200 77 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 8 Chart (2018) Position US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 30 Chart (2019) Position US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 76 Chart (2020) Position US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 53 Chart (2021) Position US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 65
Certifications
References