I’ve been onboard with Mumford & Sons since Sigh No More in 2009, with some of their tunes featuring large in milestones in my own life, and there’s always been a sense of comfort for me in their unique sound. I freely admit to loving their rollicking tunes like “Little Lion Man” and “I Will Wait”, and I loved the Wilder Mind era, particularly “Tompkins Square Park”.
Studio album number six, Prizefighter, feels like the output of a band that has landed firmly in their creative centre, mature and confident, with an ease in their collaborations that belies their previous appearance of reticence to extend far beyond their own borders. Written in the same period as a lot of the material from last year’s fantastic Rushmere, with both released in relatively quick succession, it feels like they should be played consecutively as one piece of artistry. The album is rich with superb collaborations – “Here” with Chris Stapleton, “Icarus” with Gigi Perez, “Badlands” featuring Gracie Abrams, and the utterly delicious “Rubber Band Man” with Hozier.
Marcus Mumford’s instantly recognisable voice is rich and emotive, and one that commands attention. Accompanied by the harmonies of Ben Lovett and Ted Dwayne it is simply breathtaking, with a clarity that allows you to really hear and appreciate the lyrics throughout.
Exquisite, soaring, restrained, and poetic, Prizefighter is a long, deep exhale from the depths of your soul, wrapped in heavenly harmonies and thoughtfully crafted musicianship. Love.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Prizefighter is out on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Mumford and Sons are on tour in Australia in April – grab your tickets here.
Header image supplied by Universal Music (UK)
