By Mumford & Sons fans rejoice! The folk rock British quartet’s much anticipated sophomore album titled “Babel” has finally been released, and it is extraordinary.
“Babel” is an inspiring mix of songs that tap into the most emotional aspects of being human: love, regret, loss, and most importantly, hope. Mumford & Sons is comprised of four members, Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, guitar and drums), Ben Lovett (keyboard), Winston Marshall (banjo and vocals) and Ted Dwane (bass and vocals). These men manage to consistently take seemingly old styled music and breathe life into them with every song they compose.
The first thing everybody should know before listening to any Mumford & Sons song is that the beauty of their songs lies in their lyrics and the messages they convey. So, if you are looking for a pop song you can mindlessly hum to, then you are looking in the wrong place.
The first single off the album, “I Will Wait,” is a song filled with energy and may sound familiar to the hardcore fan. “I Will Wait” started out as a considerably slower untitled song that had a bootleg release on YouTube about a year ago. The album version has a completely new chorus that transforms the song from a mild mannered tune to a genuine foot stomper.
“Lover of the Light” is a song about love and the tough journey two people take in a relationship. The lyrics “love the one you hold, and that will be your gold,” helps convey the message that as long as you are with a person you truly love, life will have a light bright enough to conquer any obstacle. The uplifting tempo and happy beat further enforce this message.
“Lover’s Eyes” is a song that deals with the feelings of regret and despair when relationships that are not good for us fail. “Your strength just makes me feel less strong” are lyrics that really get the point across. This song is about a toxic relationship where both people are in love but not happy. It is a hard situation and Mumford conveys it dramatically with his beautifully strained vocals at the end of the song.
Loss is something we all experience whether it be a death, a relationship ending or the end of something good; we all have dealt with it. “Below My Feet” is a song with haunting lyrics and soft crescendos that elegantly conquer this feeling. This song helps the listener remember that no matter how hard something is, getting through it still provides an opportunity to learn and grow.
No matter the trials and tribulations life presents, there is always hope for better; that is what keeps us going. In the song “Ghosts That We Knew” Mumford & Sons give their interpretation of that powerful concept. The song says that as long as we can hope, we will be fine. No matter what heartbreak, death or tragedy befalls us, we can always hope that something profound is just waiting around the corner.
“Babel” is available on iTunes and in any store that sells music, so be sure to check it out.
