First Listen: Babel by Mumford and Sons

Ah, yes! It's here! Mumford and Sons too long awaited sophomore album, Babel, is being released Tuesday, September 25th, but I'm here to give you a first listen to the album, which is sure to satisfy fans that have been craving music for almost three years!

1. Babel - The album starts with this driving anthem. Marcus Mumford (the Mumford of Mumford and Sons) is back with his signature growl, and the instrumentation is beautiful and very forward. The band's music is always great on the first listen, and this song is no exception. It's so different from everything else we're hearing nowadays, between Marcus' gruff voice, the folk instrumentation, and the honest lyrics: "I know that perhaps my heart is farce, but I'll be born without a mask." Great first song!

2. Whispers in the Dark - This one is a little more upbeat, and it's a true Mumford and Sons song. The driving beats are infectious, and the lyrics are wonderful, of course. My favorite line so far: "My fingers tap into what you were once, and I'm worried that I blew my only chance." There's a little rock hint at the very end which shows a bit of a shift in direction, but it's not too evident. It's a great song, of course.

3. I Will Wait - I'm sure everyone has already this one, so I won't go into details. Classic Mumford. I love it.

4. Holland Road - This one is a little bit slower compared to the first couple of tracks, but it's a little more serious, so it makes sense. I love the instrumental on the chorus. This song's dealing a little more with reaching personal lows, and the lyrics are great. The last minute or so of the song, I love it! "When I've hit the ground, neither lost nor found/If you'll believe in me, I'll still believe," it might be one of my favorite lines on the album and I'm only four tracks in.

5. Ghosts That We Knew - This one is a definite change of sound compared to the beginning of the album. Nearly acoustic, the harmonies really shine here. It's such a somber sound, and it offers such contrast to the rest of the album.

6. Lover of the Light - This one's got a bit more of that rock beat I picked up on earlier, with a drum backing beat. It's interesting. I really like the chorus and the song sounds like a Mumford song with a bit of a modern-y edge to it. Hmm...interesting.

7. Lover's Eyes - It's got all the classic elements of an epic Mumford and Sons song, so of course I love it! The harmonies? Impressive. The instrumentation? Perfect. The lyrics? Great. This is more in line with the Mumford sound that started the album off.

8. Reminder - This song is so short, it feels like an interlude. It's just the guitar and Marcus, and it's still a really nice song. There's not much you can say about it since it's barely there.

9. Hopeless Wanderer - Might be my favorite song on the album. There are so many different sounds, energies, vocal styles, and it all just works somehow. I just really dig this one. It's got a different sound to it, and I really like it alot.

10. Broken Crown - This one is angry. It's awesome. The instrumentation is like a fast approaching storm ready to attack. Marcus is angry as hell. The lyrics are intense too: "In this twilight, how dare you speak of grace." A bit of a change of tone.

11. Below My Feet - This one has more of a universal tone, almost naturalistic and religious. It's a little understated with more rock elements than we've seen in this album. I definitely pick up on the religious undertones here: "Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn." It builds until the end, a Mumford necessity, and I like it.

12. Not With Haste - The final track on the standard edition. First thing I notice is the line "learn me right," which is the title of the song Mumford and Sons helped make for Disney-Pixar's Brave. Then, I realize the lyrics are lyrics from that song. Yes, it's a different slowed down version of the same song that Birdy sang, with a little bit of a change. Instrumentally, it's stripped down. Not sure how I feel, especially since I loved the original version. There are some differences in these versions, mostly the verses being changed to be slightly more mature. Still, you can decide which version you prefer.

13. For Those Below - What stands out most about this song is that we hear the other members of the band singing! The harmonies are beautiful and there's something particularly great about this one, at least I think so. I really enjoyed this one.

14. The Boxer - This is a cover of the Simon and Garfunkel song. This song has a soft rock edge to it, a hint of electric guitar. It picks up in the second verse with the addition of more voices. The song features Jerry Douglas and Paul Simon, so I wonder what roles they played in helping out with this song. The song is pretty good.

15. Where Are You Now? - Chasing after lost love is the theme of the last of the deluxe edition tracks. It's pretty simple, even down to the lyrics: "Do you ever think of me in the quiet, in the crowd?" Nice quiet end to the album.

My favorite tracks: Babel, Whispers in the Dark, Holland Road, Lover's Eyes, Hopeless Wanderer, For Those Below

The album comes out tomorrow so make sure you pick up your copy! Let me know what your favorites are in the comments section below!

Evan