Mumford and Sons: Prizefighter

Like everybody else, I bought the Mumfords’ first album “Sigh No More”, played it to death and then got bored. They were everywhere. I had a listen this week to their later albums, which show a maturing sound; “Delta” and “Rushmere” are both OK, if a little Mumford-by-numbers.
This new album – out tomorrow – seems to be a return to the form of that debut, with sparkling songs and anthemic hooks but also more intimate moments. Having not listened to anything since that debut, I may well think that – but the fact we have had a review copy suggests that Big Things are expected.
“Here” opens, and they have Chris Stapleton guesting on vocals, so after a predictable Mumford intro it takes a left turn with Stapleton’s deeper, nasal American voice, building to a hands-in-the-air chorus.
“Rubber Band Man” is also pretty typical Mumford: slow start, nice acoustic guitar, builds up; building up is what Mumfords do best. Hozier guests on this, less remarkably, as he’s more similar to the Mumford sound than Stapleton.
“The Banjo Song” is perhaps a working title for a radio-friendly crowd-pleaser that they never bettered, with air-punching choruses and a return of the excitement of their early career. They’re good musicians and seem to have got their sparkle back for this; there are earworms aplenty, too.