After releasing 2 successful albums “Sigh No More” & “Babel” with a folk rock style; Mumford & Sons 3rd album “Wilder Mind” had a change including a new rock sound and excluding banjos; which at the time created quite a controversy as seemed that their original style was lost deviating from what they used to do. An interesting argument every band, musician or solo artist face all the time. Should they stick to their origins? Are they allowed to make some experimental sounds and songwriting? Every fan could have a different opinion, but when creativity and risk to approach a different sound is taken good results appear such as in this album.
The first single “Believe” might have hit by surprise as the initial minutes are lead by Marcus voice, some synths, sporadic guitar chords and no banjo at all. Nevertheless by the middle of the song an electric guitar solo makes its appearance giving some signs of what the album could sound like.
Two hidden jewels which are not a fast rock style, neither their original folk sound; just slow songs incorporating some small detailed elements like guitar riffs, chords or synths are “Monster” & “Cold Arms”.
The most rock song is definitely “The Wolf” with the strong guitar chords at the beginning of the song and the powerful drums making the song rhythm very fast. Another similar song is “Ditmas” as has that fast tempo as well, making this album so interesting where the band explored a new sound.
Lyrically speaking, they continue to have those deep lyrics mixed with the sentiment of Marcus voice on each song, and a proof of it is “Tompkins Square Park” where the electric guitar appears again with lyrics such as “But oh babe, I really wish you would not cry, I only ever told you one lie, When it could have been a thousand, It might as well been a thousand”.
Experimental sounds and different instruments gave life to this Mumford & Sons studio album where the band decided to take a risk and show something unique. After 5 years can be confirmed that the rock style suits the British band and maybe that´s the reason why they named the record “Wilder Mind”.