Mumford & Sons - RUSHMERE

Mumford & Sons - RUSHMERE

Mumford & Sons released their fifth studio album, Rushmere, on March 28, 2025, marking their first major project in nearly seven years and their debut as a trio following the 2021 departure of banjoist Winston Marshall. Co-produced with Dave Cobb, the album represents a return to their folk-rock roots, featuring acoustic instrumentation, banjo, and introspective songwriting.

🎶 Album Overview

  • Title: Rushmere

  • Release Date: March 28, 2025

  • Length: 34 minutes, 18 seconds

  • Label: Island Records / Glassnote

  • Producers: Mumford & Sons, Dave Cobb

  • Recording Locations: RCA Studio A (Nashville), Savannah (Georgia), and the band's home studio in Devon, UK

  • Band Lineup: Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Ted Dwane

The album's title refers to a pond in Wimbledon Common, London, where the band members first connected, symbolizing a return to their origins.

🎵 Key Tracks

  • "Rushmere": The lead single, released on January 17, 2025, is described as a "rousing" track that revisits the band's early folk-pop instrumentation, featuring an anthemic peak performed by Marcus Mumford over a banjo line.
  • "Malibu": The opening track sets the tone with muted percussion and acoustic guitar, gradually building to richer textures with banjo and vocal harmonies, introducing the album's existential themes.
  • "Caroline" and "Where It Belongs": These tracks showcase the band's range, from upbeat foot-stompers to tender ballads, reflecting on themes of truth, hypocrisy, and life.

📈 Commercial Performance

Rushmere debuted at number one on both the UK Albums and UK Americana Albums charts, with 35,655 units sold in its first week. In the U.S., it reached number three on Billboard's Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart.

🎤 Critical Reception

The album received mixed reviews. Some critics praised the band's return to their folk roots, highlighting the authenticity and emotional depth of the tracks. Others felt the album lacked innovation, describing it as a retreat to familiar territory without significant evolution.

🎸 Live Performances

To promote Rushmere, Mumford & Sons announced a 2025 tour across North America, including three shows in New York: Saratoga Springs on June 21, Forest Hills Stadium on August 8, and Buffalo's KeyBank Center on October 16. Special guests for the tour include Japanese Breakfast, Michael Kiwanuka, and Gregory Alan Isakov.