British folk-rock greats Mumford & Sons have released their long-awaited fifth studio album, “RUSHMERE,” signifying a fresh chapter for the band as a trio. Now, after the departure of banjo player Winston Marshall in 2021, Marcus Mumford (lead vocals/guitar), Ted Dwane (vocals/bass), and Ben Lovett (vocals/keyboards) have been loving the change to the extent that they’ve come up with a record that manages to be both a confirmation of ground kept and an invitation into a new direction.
Named after the nature reserve where three of the band members first conceived Mumford & Sons, Rushmere, a pond in Wimbledon Common, southwest London, shots of its still waters inspired the album. Now, with “RUSHMERE,” they revisit their shared origins while embarking on new musical territory. The album was put together in RCA Studio A in Nashville, in Savannah, GA, and even at the private studio of former Mumford frontman Marcus Mumford in Devon, England, lending its production a mix of Southern charm and English intimacy.
The record is thus steeped in folk sensibilities and blessed with a new sonic palette. “Truth” and “Where It Belongs” are examples of the band’s gift for pairing emotional weight with blurted honesty and propulsive melodies that zoom into anthem-like choruses. “RUSHMERE” reflects life as the weight of time and distance on relationships, the intimate and the universal intertwined in the most personal musings.
Madison Cunningham adds haunting vocals as a special guest to create yet another level of richness upon an already mesmerizing collection of songs. From the meditative “Malibu” to the pensive “Blood On The Page,” the album’s 10 tracks span an emotional arc, showcasing the band’s musical range while still holding on to their down-home folk-rock sensibility at its core.
At just 34 minutes and 22 seconds, “RUSHMERE” packs a punch, stuffing so much complexity into such a brief listening experience. With “RUSHMERE,” Mumford & Sons has reached a new plateau in their career that will surely please longtime listeners while bringing in more fans with their audacious, always-changing musical sound.
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