It took a lot longer than I expected to write this review. Now I love me some Mumford & Sons, but when news of their latest album (Wilder Mind) indicated they were switching things up by plugging in with electric guitars, synthesizers, and drum machines, I’ll be honest: I was worried. No banjo? Or acoustic guitar? And no more kick drum? What the what?! I wondered if what I adored about this band would disappear along with their infamous instruments and signature sound. Thankfully, my worries were unfounded.
Sure, Wilder Mind took longer to grow on me than Sigh No More and Babel did. It wasn’t necessarily love at first listen like those two albums were; I had to sit with this one for awhile and let it talk to me. But the good news is that Mumford & Sons is still Mumford & Sons, and these blokes from Blighty still know how to kick ass sans that kick drum. After reading an interview they did earlier this year with Rolling Stone, I have a better understanding of their need to try something new on this latest offering. From an artistic standpoint, you don’t want to remain stagnant and just keep doing the same old thing. I get it, guys. I really do.
Wilder Mind starts with “Tompkins Square Park,” which is a great intro track with an infectious beat. The song, which was inspired by the time the band spent recording in N.Y.C., features some poignant lyrics as well: “No flame burns forever… you and I both know this all too well,” “I’ve never been so lost, I wanna hear you laugh just one last time,” and “If only things were black and white, because I just want to hold you tight without holding back my mind.”
On “Believe,” the first single, the chorus got stuck in my head after about five listens. And it’s classic Mumford & Sons, despite the instruments they’re using: “I had the strangest feeling your world’s not all it seems… So tired of misconceiving what else this could have been,” and “This is never gonna go our way if I have to guess what’s on your mind.” The anguish and passion in Marcus Mumford’s voice grips you and doesn’t let go. On their second single, “The Wolf,” the sound stays true once again to the band’s spirit, even though it’s electric guitar you’re hearing.
On the title track, the line “You can be every little thing you want nobody to know, you can try to drown out the street below…” stood out to me. The lyrics, usually written by Marcus, were a collaborative effort this time around, with all of the band members pitching in on Wilder Mind. And with two of the gents in long-term relationships and two of them experiencing recent break-ups, the messages coming across on Wilder Mind are those of happy contemplation as well as heartbreak. On “Just Smoke,” the melody and chorus are very much in keeping with the soulful expression for which they’re known. With lines like “Tell my thoughts to resign and lift you from my mind” and “Open my mouth to breathe some words of peace, but the silence gives nothing back to me,” it’s not a tone or tune that’s easily forgotten.
I recommend the deluxe edition of Wilder Mind because it comes with an additional four bonus tracks, all recorded live, all of which are outstanding. But I wouldn’t expect any less from them. I’ve been lucky enough to see these gentlemen of the road in concert three times over the last five years, and they truly are one of the best live bands around. After spending some time with this latest album, I’m relieved and proud to report that what I love about them most—their heart—is very much alive and beating well.
Rating: 4/5