REVIEW: MARCUS MUMFORD - (SELF-TITLED)

4/5

Self-Belief.

Mumford and no Sons. Marcus Mumford is back, but like you've never seen him before. And we aren't just talking about the impressive weight moved. That's surface and an amazing achievement, for sure. But what lies beneath is the real work depth of a man coming out of childhood trauma and the turmoil of loneliness that is explored on his most personal project to date. The '(Self-Titled)' solo album of Marcus Mumford in the same wonderful week we get 'The Mars Volta' from The Mars Volta, for your high-voltage ("DANGER, DANGER!"). 

Of course, the self-care of his opening solo act would be his innermost, most stripped-down and bare album yet. Beating to the chest of his vest. Especially after Barack Obama's favourite Big Smoke band came out of the controversy of guitarist Winston Marshall's departure, following backlash he received online for calling Andy Ngo "brave" for his anti-antifa book 'Unmasked'. There's been quite a gap since these Gentlemen of the Road's 'Delta' (2018). And more amazingly, a decade gone since 2012's classic 'Babel'. The same year, Marcus married amazing Academy Award nominated 'Promising Young Woman', 'Shame' and 'Wildlife' actress Carey Mulligan (what a calendar). Now Wimbledon's own, Marcus, serves up a straight set on his own. Save formidable features with Brandi Carlile, Clairo, Monica Martin and the great Phoebe Bridgers. I mean, the others are great too...but Bridgers may just be the punishing best of our generation, outside surrendering to Maggie Rogers. Whose latest album shares the same 'Self-Titled' handwriting on notepaper. 

Believe in this 'Wilder Mind' that takes Mumford's music further into new territories, like the time they went electric like Dylan. Sigh no more. That beautiful, brooding music that is Bon like Iver is back, folks. Stirring you over atmospheric strings for this Blake Mills produced Island Record. Eating off the opening, 'Cannibal' is one of the hardest tracks Marcus has committed to music. "I can still taste you, and I hate it/That wasn't a choice in the mind of a child and you knew it/You took the first slice of me and you ate it raw/Ripped it in with your teeth and your lips like a cannibal/You fucking animal." This time, we won't edit the curse. Real and raw lyrics in revelation for a man who recently shared that he was abused as a child. Now others will be given the bravery to speak out thanks to the vulnerability of Marcus. 

But 'Grace' incarnate, like the name of my firstborn (as I wish upon a star), brings us right back to a beautiful place. The kind of location Mumford's moving voice of registered emotion takes us to at locomotive speed, as soon as we recognize it over the airwaves like an angel. "Grace, like a river." "With the weight of the shadow on your shoulders/And I hear there's healing just around this corner." Amazing, like the Lord's light. With patience. But not with haste. Like love. 

'Prior Warning'. This album will take you through every emotion. So "put on (your) running gear", like jogging to the gym and work out with your "favourites" like these new tracks for your dried tears. 'Better Off High' with its cicada beat shaking like the Stevens jonz of a bottle of pills, is the legal prescription and the natural high that will musically take you away. "Bless that medicine/For bringing 'round that click in your head," Marcus laments like Jack O'Connell laying Paul Newman's Brick alongside the Maggie of Sienna Miller's Elizabeth Taylor, scratching and itching on Tennessee Williams' 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof'. Reaching across the gap between beds to clasp our hand in the pure love of friendship. 

"What takes forever/Is a lesson learned/I have nothing to show for the medals I've earned", the man acting like an 'Only Child' sings like "on my shoulder/as we laid awake/And you always love a smoke by eight." All for the 'Better Angels' of some sublime solo work. Before this 'Self-Titled' affair, curtains with some classic collaborations.

Clairo's 'Dangerous Game' is the best of this bunch. But Bridgers sings on 'Stonecatcher', "All we can hope is that we suffer well/When the cycle ends, when there's tales to tell/When it reaches me/Let me be a stone catcher, please." Cutting on the bridge, along with Marcus Mumford mining more. Almost at the gold. It's just going to take one more hit. 

How about the duet 'How' with artist of the moment Brandi Carlile? But as we 'Go In Light' with Monica Martin, we do so with God's grace. "Cry havoc in the evening/Sirens in the morning/Peace by the afternoon/I was planning on leaving/Unless you really need me/I'm just trying to keep up with you", Marcus muses. Proving that despite the title, this album is anything but just for self. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Grace', 'Better Off High', 'Stonecatcher (Feat. Phoebe Bridgers)'.