Mumford & Sons new album has somber, intimate songs

Tuesday’s release of Mumford & Sons’ sophomore album invites listeners to an intimate performance deep in an English Pub as Marcus Mumford and company pick through songs of loneliness and intimacy.

Abrupt guitar rhythms and brassy banjo riffs with uniform instrumental harmonizing led by the bold vocals of Mumford dignifies “Babel” as one of the best albums of the season.

“Babel” encompasses similar themes heard in Mumford’s 2009 debut album “Sigh No More.” The album’s anchoring single, “I will wait,” commands the intense, gritty romantic poetry similar to previous 2009 single “Roll away your stone.”

With catchy banjo riffs and uniform harmonizing, “I will wait,” answers the accusing questions that arise in their debut album. Lyrics proclaiming “I came home, like a stone, and fell heavy into your arms, these days of dust which we’ve known will blow away with this new sun,” resolves the harsh darkness the 2009 single describes.

Mumford’s new album delves deep into intimate relationships entangled with love, depression and rain. “Babel’s” fifth track, “Ghosts that we knew,” explores the physical pain involved with a broken man and his lover; with resolution as a small promise of happiness.

Musically, “Babel” explodes with string instruments including the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, cello and violin. The four person group harmonizes with heartfelt compassion led by Mumford’s powerful vocals that command the audience.

“Babel” released a deluxe version with three bonus tracks: “For those below,” a Simon & Garfunkel cover of “The Boxer” and “Where are you now.”

Mumford’s new album was produced by Markus Davs, who brought the group success by producing their “Sigh No More” album in 2009.

Following the release of indie-folk artist The Avett Brothers “Carpenter” album on Sep. 11, Mumford & Sons “Babel” has surely made it a great season for the indie genre.