The next new release I decided to try out was Mumford & Son’s new album “Prizefighter.” I haven’t had a very extensive history with the band, but I’ve always had a soft spot for their 2012 album, “Babel,” so I was excited to hear their new work.
Babel is a deliciously distinct sound, with iconic tracks and an album cover to match. The more time I spent listening to it, the deeper my appreciation grew for its lyricism and melodies.
Unfortunately, their British charm didn’t translate in the same way for Prizefighter.
The first track is called “Here,” a song I was annoyed at by the second chorus. Even during my subsequent listening, I couldn’t get interested in the lyrics. It’s definitely a solid vocal delivery, just not one that I was particularly invested in.
This song is followed by “Rubber Band Man,” another track that didn’t particularly stand out to me. I found myself enjoying it more than its predecessor, but not in a very meaningful way. Hozier is an excellent feature, but didn’t add much to the song.
Again, it’s not that any of these tracks were bad. Mumford is a clearly talented voice with a band to back his talent. There were several harmonies that landed well on my ear, specifically towards the end of the album in songs like “Conversations With My Son” and “Badlands.” I thought that the song “I’ll Tell You Everything” had a lovely sound, with drooping melodies and a nice instrumental backing. “Clover” is another lovely song as well, and a nice end to the album.
Overall, although I wasn’t blown away by Prizefighter, I still maintain my respect and admiration for what Mumford & Sons are trying to accomplish. It’s a lovely album, but the writing doesn’t compare to their previous work. Babel was experimental, it had the vibe of a band trying something new and making something truly special. Prizefighter doesn’t feel like an album taking risks, the kind that made Babel stand out to me as a listener. I don’t hate the album by any stress, I was just underwhelmed by an undoubtedly talented band.
