What makes Hope by The Strumbellas notable?

'Hope' reached number one on the Canadian Albums Chart and was nominated for a Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. Its lead single 'Spirits' became particularly notable, achieving significant radio play and chart success in both Canada and the US, contributing to the band's international recognition. Released in 2016, Hope is The Strumbellas' third studio album, following their breakthrough success with their previous album, We Still Move on Dance Floors. At this point, the band had solidified their sound and fanbase, building on the commercial momentum generated by their hit single 'Spirits'.

Hope works well if you're into anthemic sing-alongs with friends, uplifting moments of reflection and short bursts of emotional energy.

How many songs are on Hope?

Hope has 11 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Hope

The Strumbellas · 2016

42 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

Anthemic indie folk melodies intertwine with reflective lyrics, creating a sound that balances optimism and introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Spirits — As the album's breakout single, 'Spirits' encapsulates The Strumbellas' signature blend of uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics, making it an anthem of resilience.
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Young & Wild — This track showcases a more playful side of the band, combining catchy hooks with themes of carefree youthfulness, effectively contrasting with the album's deeper moments.
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The Night Will Save Us — 'The Night Will Save Us' features haunting harmonies and lyrical depth that reflect on hope amid despair, representing the album’s central thematic exploration.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album balances anthemic melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.

What we noticed

The first four tracks feature upbeat tempos and anthemic choruses, while the subsequent tracks gradually shift to more reflective themes and slower tempos.
Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

anthemic sing-alongs with friends
uplifting moments of reflection
short bursts of emotional energy
joyful melodies for road trips

Maybe skip if you

seeking lengthy immersive experiences
prefer dark, heavy themes

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2016, Hope is The Strumbellas' third studio album, following their breakthrough success with their previous album, We Still Move on Dance Floors. At this point, the band had solidified their sound and fanbase, building on the commercial momentum generated by their hit single 'Spirits'.
Stylistic neighbors: The Lumineers· Of Monsters and Men· Mumford & Sons

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Spirits 3:23
2 Shovels & Dirt 4:01
3 We Don’t Know 4:33
4 Wars 3:26
5 Dog 3:24
6 The Hired Band 3:49
7 Young & Wild 4:27
8 The Night Will Save Us 3:49
9 I Still Make Her Cry 2:31
10 David 4:32
11 Wild Sun 4:29

What to play next

Listen next

Rattlesnake

2019

Go back to

We Still Move on Dance Floors

2013

Full The Strumbellas discography Artists like The Strumbellas

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata