Search Toggle

From String to Synth: Mumford & Sons Brave New Sound

Mumford & Sons are a British band who formed in 2007 they are well-known for their easy-listening folk music. The band embraces a wholly vintage aesthetic through their visuals and use of traditional instruments, such as banjos and mandolins. Despite their past sound becoming a key element of their popularity, there are rumours from major music sites that their new album, due for release in May this year, is taking on a more electric sound.

The upcoming album, Wilder Mind, is set for release on the 4th of May 2015 and was the topic of much debate in a recent interview with Triple J radio. Lead vocalist Marcus Mumford revealed that the band wanted to ‘shake it up’ and the upcoming album features electric guitar complemented by drums while the banjo is not featured.

The release of their new single ‘Believe’ shows a more mainstream sound with a synthesiser backdrop and a more polished studio sound overall. Despite the change in the instrumental environment the single still retains a sense of uniqueness with Marcus Mumford’s husky voice leading the vocal and the lyrical content remaining largely poetic and gentle.

The new album, while being different, has been described by the band members as a ‘development, not a departure’ from their old sound. While they have moved from their solid place in the folk genre and further into the pop realm the band maintains that the new album came naturally and will not disappoint eager fans. With Australian tour dates set for October, there should be little doubt the band will draw in the crowds despite this bold new sound.

The band’s first album Sigh No More, released in 2009, enveloped a calm and country type vibe with stand out tracks such as ‘Little Lion Man’ rising to mainstream popularity. The poetic lyrics worked to ensure the band were appealing to a wide audience and quickly rose to fame in certain circles.

In 2012 the band released their second album Babel which sold over 158,000 copies in the UK within a week of its release. This album continued with the folk genre and it was said they attempted to ‘perfect the sound they had already developed’, securing their name as a ‘rustic, folk-rock band’.

Tracks such as ‘I Will Wait’ and ‘Not With Haste’ further secured the band’s popularity and lead to them winning awards at both The Grammy Awards and the 2013 BRIT Awards.

Recent Comments

0

Be the first to comment!

Post Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *