Following success with his band
Mumford & Sons, Marcus Mumford delivers his debut as a solo artist with Self Titled. An album on which the British-American artist processes some very personal and painful events in his life. For example, the opening track Cannibal is about the abuse he experienced as a child. A leaden theme, but at no point does the album become melancholy. Themes such as (mental)
… recovery, forgiveness and mercy run as a thread through the album and offer a counterbalance to the painful events. For a long time, Mumford spoke to no one about what happened to him as a child. On this album, therefore, he sounds resigned and sensitive, but relief and release can also be heard. Musically, due to the presence of acoustic guitar and banjo, it sometimes sticks to the sound of his band. Logically, the themes provide a sometimes wry edge, but musically it also chafes here and there. All in all, an extraordinary album, on which Mumford tries to turn the darkest period of his life into something hopeful. Guest artists such as Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers and Brandi Carlile make contributions. (YvQ)more
