Mumford & Sons - Believe

Mumford & Sons never 'split up', let's just get that straight now. I'm going to call it a creative hiatus, because that's what an incredible band does, they take time out of the spotlight to write and record beautiful music. They're one of the most likeable folk bands of the past decade, their music skillfully balancing classic folk arrangements with a contemporary edge. Following on from their last, behemoth success of an album Babel, they're back with a new single called 'Believe', from their upcoming opus, Wilder Mind. 

It's a step forward sonically, ditching the acoustic folk sounds we're used to hearing in favour of an electronic arrangement and Marcus Mumford sounds as authentically impassioned as ever as he sings "I don't even know if I believe / everything you're trying to say to me" on the chorus. The beauty of 'Believe' is how slowly it builds up. The song doesn't explode until the 2 minute mark and by this point you're so captivated by Mumford's vocal performance layered atop the modest production that the change in pace is an exhilarating experience. I hope that the folk elements of Mumford & Sons aren't lost in the past, but for now, this is a refreshing revival of a band that continue to impress with every step they take.

5 / 5

George Ezra - Wanted On Voyage (Album Review)

When relatively unknown English singer George Ezra released his second single, Budapest, no one expected it to reach number three on the official chart, nor did anyone see it selling millions across the world. It’s not undeserved. The song is a wonderful, proper, introduction to the bluesy tones of Ezra and his apparent gift for songwriting. It’s gorgeous from start to finish, from the opening folksy riffs to the heartwarming climax, it wouldn’t go amiss on a Hipster Indie movie soundtrack. Budapest is just one beautiful song from Ezra’s 12 track debut album, Wanted On Voyage.

What’s clear on this album is that Ezra has a distinct, at times incredible, voice. It’s folksy yet bluesy, soulful yet rocky, strong, assertive and often vulnerable. His latest single and album opener Blame It On Me is just as wonderful as his biggest hit and has one of the most memorable hooks in recent memory as he pleads repeatedly “What you waiting for?”. Ezra cites the likes of Bob Dylan as an influence and that influence is obvious on Cassy O’, an uptempo folk track with a superb chorus and an arrangement begging for a live setting.