After four years, The Lumineers solidify their place with the storytelling aspect of music with their sophomore album “Cleopatra.” While the trio doesn’t veer too far from their roots, “Cleopatra” explores a less soft style of folk music and instead proves their ability to create enticing songs with their distinct song structures.

From the first track “Sleep on the Floor,” the album opens with strong notes and introduces a hopeful tale for the future. Throughout the song and album, Wesley Schultz’s voice twangs typical of indie folk music, but it’s comforting when combined with the sugar-sweet lyrics about love and home.

“Ophelia,” the album’s first single, is arguably the most radio-friendly song, but that isn’t saying much. Though it is more upbeat, it yearns for something of the past and is also somehow trustingly bittersweet in nature. With its daunting piano riffs and a chorus that comes as quickly as it goes, the song leaves the listener wanting more. As Schultz calls out to Ophelia, one feels like they’re eavesdropping on an intimate conversation, and the trio’s ability to create a captivating song with an unusual song structure is prominently on display.

Though the title track “Cleopatra” is far from being the best song on the album, it’s strategically placed behind “Sleep on the Floor” and “Ophelia” to continue the serene, meditative feeling of the first two songs. Schultz sings from a woman’s perspective throughout the album which allows for a fragmented interpretation of each story and offers a unique take on the stories. Listening to “Cleopatra” makes the listener visualize the girl on the album cover as a modern, mythical Cleopatra whose story is told.

The album also contains catchy but profound songs like “Gun Song” and “My Eyes” which explore betrayal and growing old. Each song is slow enough for simple pondering but fast enough to keep you awake and content.While the stories seem personal to only the singer, they leave room for the listener’s stories to intertwine with the lyrics and become something that changes through the years.

Because of the album’s obvious difference from the band’s first, chart-topping album, it’s unlikely that the songs are going to be heard on the radio anytime soon. But that isn’t anything to fret about, as each song feels more like something shared between the listener and something entirely their own. In light of that, the album deserves an A for its rousing lyricism, personality and formidable charm.