In simple terms, the new Mumford & Sons album, ‘Rushmere’, feels like being wrapped in a comforting embrace, particularly after a challenging day. The lyrics are introspective, while the songs are calming, uplifting, and notably cohesive in their fifth release. There’s something both reassuring and powerful about this album, which begins from a place of despair and concludes on a note of hope.
The opening track, and previous single, ‘Malibu’, includes the lyrics “You are all I want / You’re all I need / I’ll find peace beneath the shadow of your wings,” followed by an energizing, signature Mumford & Sons, foot-stomping chorus. However, the lyrics make the band quite vulnerable, and in ‘Malibu’, Marcus Mumford (the lead singer) expresses, “I’m still afraid / I said too much, but not enough.”
‘Rushmere’ appears to draw significant inspiration from Fleetwood Mac, and in ‘Caroline’, we even hear the familiar phrase “You can go your own way…” We particularly enjoy the lyrics in ‘Caroline’: “The stars can keep your secrets / I don’t want to owe them anything.”
Another single from the album is the title track, ‘Rushmere’. It embraces a folk vibe unapologetically, and the chorus reminds us of a mature version of ‘I Will Wait’—complete with banjos. ‘Monochrome’ presents a whimsical, romantic lullaby that somewhat echoes the Rubber Soul-era Beatles.
Conversely, ‘Truth’ shifts the mood entirely, with Marcus Mumford delivering confident vocals filled with an inspiring conviction. On ‘Surrender’, however, the confidence established in ‘Truth’ fades (reflecting the song's mood), and Marcus’s vocals transition from powerful to soft, nearly tearful at the beginning. He pleads, “Break me down and put me back together.” No, we’re definitely not crying, you are!
In what stands as their most cohesive album to date, Mumford & Sons blend strong, emotional lyrics with music that reflects these themes. When Marcus Mumford sings about feeling “broken,” you truly feel it! Yet, there is also a significant thread of hope woven throughout these songs.
There’s a sense of maturity in this album, though it remains uplifting and enjoyable to some extent. However, maturity can only carry a band so far, so we're cautious about applauding them merely for aging (and of course, learning along the way). What we can affirm is that the brilliance of ‘Rushmere’ stems from Mumford & Sons’ undeniable talent and hard work.
In an album where each track stands out, pinpointing a 'highlight' is challenging, but if we must choose, it would be the title track for its jubilant spirit. The concluding song of ‘Rushmere’, aptly named ‘Carry On’, provides a hopeful finish to the album.
8/10
Words: Narzra Ahmed
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In essence, the new Mumford & Sons album (‘Rushmere’) gives the sensation of being wrapped in a comforting embrace, perhaps following a tough day. The