Marcus Mumford- Self-Titled
Label: Island
Producer: Blake Mills
As the bandleader of Mumford & Sons, and subsequently one of the leading voices of the folk-rock revival of the 2010s, Marcus Mumford long-ago established himself as one of the true generational artists of our time. With his first-ever solo effort however, he takes both the honest nature of his songwriting, and the gravely passion of his voice, to personal heights that simply could never be contained within the confines of his band. Self-Titled is brutally painful in the fearless and unlimited nature with which it excavates the most crude and disturbing moments of Mumford’s personal journey. There’s very little to be found of the redemptive jangle that permeates his band’s biggest moments (with the exception of gritty but celebratory”Grace”, which is most certainly a soaring highlight). Weak-hearted listeners may not be able to even make it past the first verse of lead single “Cannibal”, a naked and viscous indictment of Mumford’s childhood abuser that leaves no scar left unexposed. For those of us that feed off the most unfiltered art however, you’re rewarded with a richly revealing body of songs that not only exorcises the pain, but heals it for the future. Further tracks like “Better Off High” grapple with the cures for our pain, both genuine and demonic, while ripping moments like “Only Child” examines how the pasts of our parents inform and tamper with our most important relationships in the present. And while none of his bandmates show up here to provide any support, guests like Phoebe Bridgers (“Stonecatcher”), Clairo (“Dangerous Game”), Monica Martin (“Go In Light”), and Brandi Carlile (the finale, “How”; hearing these two harmonize against just an acoustic guitar is mesmerizing) add plenty of depth and gorgeous harmony that further accentuates the emotive power within Mumford’s signature rasp on these personal battle cries. All in all, Self-Titled is, as any side solo project should be, beautiful and fruitful in new and beautiful ways that sets itself apart from the rest of its artist’s band-driven catalog. Mumford’s voice and muse still offer all of the powerful qualities that have always spell-bound listeners, but it’s cast here in a light that’s wholly unique. Rightfully so for a project so intimately personal and raw.
Track Listing:
- “Cannibal” (Marcus Mumford, Blake Mills)
- “Grace” (Mumford, Mills)
- “Prior Warning” (Mumford, Julia Michaels, Mills)
- “Better Off High” (Mumford, Mills)
- “Only Child” (Mumford, Mills)
- “Dangerous Game” featuring Clairo (Mumford, Mills, Clairo)
- “Better Angels” (Mumford, Mills, Robin Pecknold, Tobias Jesso Jr.)
- “Go In Light” featuring Monica Martin (Mumford, Reuben James, Ethan Gruska, Ryan Beatty, Mills)
- “Stonecatcher” featuring Phoebe Bridgers (Mumford, Mills)
- “How” featuring Brandi Carlile (Mumford, Brandi Carlile)
The 706 
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