Mumford & Sons Make a Strong Return with New Album ‘Rushmere

In the 2010s, Mumford & Sons took the music world by storm with their energetic stomp-clap rock. The English band not only brought back a love for bluegrass and Americana music but also started a whole movement. Then life got complicated: the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, banjo player and lead guitarist Winston Marshall left the group, and frontman Marcus Mumford chose to release a solo album. Now, as a trio, Mumford & Sons are back with their fifth studio album called “Rushmere,” their first new album in almost seven years.

“Rushmere” has a familiar sound, full of banjos and folk music that fans will recognize. This new album really goes back to their roots, unlike their last album, “Delta,” which had more electronic sounds. To make “Rushmere,” the band teamed up with producer Dave Cobb and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, Savannah, Georgia, and in Marcus Mumford’s studio in the U.K.

The first song, “Malibu,” starts off softly with light drums and guitar. It makes you wonder if this album will be quiet and thoughtful. But then Marcus’s powerful voice comes in, joined by piano, strong harmonies, and the banjo, making the music richer and more lively. This is the upbeat Mumford & Sons that made people fall in love with them, starting from their first album, “Sigh No More.”

Mumford sings about heavy topics like truth and lies, but he does it in a clear way. In the song “Rushmere,” named after a pond in London where the band used to hang out, he reflects on remembering the excitement of youth. “Don’t you miss/The breathlessness?/The wildness in the eye?” he sings, as he recalls the dreams they had for their futures.

But the album isn’t just about repeating their past. “Truth” stands out with a bluesy bass and electric guitar, giving it a rock vibe, especially after the softer song “Monochrome.” The final song, “Carry On,” has deep lyrics discussing religious themes. Mumford challenges the idea of “original sin,” singing, “I will take this darkness/Over any light you cast.”

With 10 tracks, “Rushmere” may be short, but it’s packed full of meaning, making it a satisfying comeback for fans and anyone who loves thought-provoking folk music.