Nearly 7 years after the release of their last record,Mumford & Sonshave returned with the triumphant and existential record,Rushmere.The album comes as the first release since the band revised its lineup. The current trio consists of lead singer Marcus Mumford, and former band members Ben Lovett and Ted Dwayne. Amidst theseparation from previous band membersdue to social controversies, the three took the opportunity to yield new creative endeavors. Joining forces with renowned producer, Dave Cobb, of acts such asBrandie Carlileand Chris Stapleton, the band’s return marks a triumphant moment in their careers.
Turning to their folk-inspired roots, the band has crafted an album consisting of 10 songs that encompasses everything that the band has become known for. From the traditional Americana, bluegrass style listeners know and love, to a softer, acoustic tone that takes a more emotional sound, Mumford & Sons have crafted the perfect record to return from their absence.
11Where It Belongs
A Soft And Introspective Lullaby
Slowing it down,“Where It Belongs"comes as a change of pace in the record. The song comes as the most stripped back on the record, feeling almost like looking into an entry torn from the band’s diary. Marcus Mumford sings atop a minimal, strumming acoustic guitar and piano that play in unison. Unlike other tracks on the record, his voice is softer and lulling, bringing in the slightest bit of power on the chorus of the song. The chorus brings a harmonious melody, deepening the impact of its message with the lyrics:
“When you speak, do you think you could do it kindly
Or does your anger overwhelm?
And when you’re weak, do you ever think of livin' wildly
And let your anger go to hell?
Where it belongs”
While a beautiful and heartbreaking track, “Where It Belongs” lacks the depth of its accompanying songs on the record.
10Monochrome
A Somber And Reflective Tune
Displaying the band’s softer side,“Monochrome"is theacoustic light of the album.The song is driven by a finger-picked acoustic guitar that is carried throughout the song, sprinkled in with an underlying piano as the song progresses. “Monochrome” is a ballad through and through, as Marcus Mumford carries the track with his intricate vocal range. He effortlessly shifts between a soft-spoken hum to a few powerful, belting moments, emphasizing lines for a strong, emotional impact.
9Surrender
Returning To Their Indie Folk Roots
“Surrender"sees Mumford & Sons turning to their formative sound for thefolk-leaning track.Reminiscent of their early releasesSigh No MoreandBabel,“Surrender” is an inspiring, uplifting folk song with a sound that would fit effortlessly into the catalog of beloved indie folk music of the 2010s. From the gradual build to an erupting, joyful chorus, this song is a beautiful encapsulation of all that made Mumford & Sons a trailblazer of modern folk music. With the final chorus carrying the song to a close, Mumford sings out:
“Break me down and put me back together
I surrender, I surrender now
And hold me in the promise of forever
I surrender, I surrender now”
8Carry On
Closing The Record With Hope
AsRushmerecomes to an end,“Carry On"concludes the album with an optimistic tone. “Carry On” holds a similar introspective feel to the record’s opening track, “Malibu,” though this track in particular takes a morehopeful perspective looking toward the future.The song holds a message easily relatable to listeners from all walks of life, inspiring them to push through the hardships of life and live for the brighter days ahead.
Like many tracks onRushmere,“Carry On” contemplates what it means to be alive, embracing all the moments that comprise the human experience and taking pride in the nature of one’s self. In one of the most inspiring lines on the record, Marcus Mumford sings, “If this is what it’s like to be adrift, I will take this darkness over any light you cast.” Following the song’s final chorus, the track is carried out with one last instrumental break, driving the album to a close with a similar acoustic guitar sound that started it off.
7Blood On The Page
An Unexpected Moment Of Collaboration
Featuring singer Madison Cunningham,“Blood On The Page"takes a unique approach to a collaborative track. Instead of the traditional feature structure in which verses are split among the artists, Cunningham joins Marcus Mumford in singing the entirety of the track, creating an alluring harmony. The singer has a soft, ethereal tone compared to the band’s frontman, yet their voices merge together effortlessly for a unique sound.
Despite their efforts, the pair succumb to the challenges and part ways, but love remains while the song closes with the heartbreaking lines.
Cunningham’s voice echoes behind Mumford’s and this layering creates an eerie yet beautiful tone for the emotional track.Within the lyrics, the track sees a relationship challenged by outside forces that fight to break them apart. Taking the message into context, the layering of both Cunningham and Mumford’s voices represents a partnership, fighting to work through hardships as a team. Despite their efforts, the pair succumb to the challenges and part ways, but love remains while the song closes with the heartbreaking lines:
“Call me out late
Call me anytime you like”
5Anchor
A Cinematic and Atmospheric Masterpiece
“Anchor"came as a surprise onRushmereas an incrediblycinematic highlight of the record.Building off of a minimal acoustic guitar layered with Mumford’s stellar range of vocals, the track comes as one of the most emotional moments onRushmere.In the most subtle manner, a symphonic violin is brought in underneath the acoustic guitar, creating an entrancing, atmospheric track.
The track slowly builds to this orchestral moment, coming back down just as easily to bring the song to a peaceful conclusion in which Mumford sings, “Oh, my love. Hold me fast.” With this somber outro, the band includes a subtle reference to their song “Hopeless Wanderer,” found on 2012’s Grammy-Award-winning,Babel.“Anchor” is built for the soundtrack of a thought-provoking drama, bound to bring tears to the eyes of anyone who listens.
4Malibu
An Emotional Opening To The Record
OpeningRushmerein a way that is uniquely Mumford & Sons is the song"Malibu.“The track isan introspective piece,serving as a reflection and contemplation of the future for the band. With its pensive yet inspiring tone, “Malibu” hints at themes to be explored throughout the remainder of the record.
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In a press release leading to the record’s release, Marcus Mumford shared: “‘Malibu’ was the first song we wrote when we got back together in Los Angeles in January 2023. The song just felt like us, and the process of recording it with Dave [Cobb] captured it on record in a way that made us feel it had to open RUSHMERE. We love it.” Fans were ecstatic upon the track’s release as the second single on the album, further exploring the sound that made the band what they are today.
3Rushmere
The Brilliantly Anthemic Title Track
As both the album’s leading single and title track,“Rushmere"revisits the band’s roots,full of the folk spiritfound on their formative records. As the band’s first release in nearly 7 years, the song gave fans an early look into what was in store for the future of Mumford & Sons. The song is accompanied by a raw, moving music video. Fans and friends of the band were invited to London to listen to the song for the first time while their reactions were captured on camera.
The result is an emotional display of the power that music holds, showing how impactful one song can be on someone’s life. Tears are shed, lovers embrace, and some listeners even break out into dance. These reactions encapsulate everything that this song is alone, and it marks a monumental comeback for the beloved band.
2Caroline
A Passionate And Bright Song For The Summer
As the second song on the record,“Caroline"is an upbeat trackreminiscent of a summer road trip.Lead singer, Marcus Mumford, displays his powerful tone in the passionate delivery of this track, driving the song as it builds to a lively chorus. Mumford sings:
“Caroline, you can go your own way
But my face will follow you down and fill your dreams”
“Caroline” is a masterpiece with a defining juxtaposition between the song’s instrumentals and the lyrics. While backed by an optimistic acoustic guitar, lyrically, the song explores a fading love and the contemplation of parting ways with someone who had grown so close to the singer. Evidently, the song’s narrator makes the decision to take the parting road. Though exploring the separation of these two individuals, the song takes a positive outlook on the scenario as the singer makes the choice in his best interest.
