Artist: Mumford and Sons
Song: Guiding Light
Album: Delta
Genre: Folk-rock
Rating: 6.9
Back with a banjo-bang, folk-rock band Mumford and Sons have recently released their latest single, ‘Guiding Light’, which is a prelude to their soon-to-be released fourth album, Delta. Traversing back to their raw, acoustic roots, the band also tiptoes into electronic territory with caution.
‘Guiding Light’ brings the band home to the sounds that first made them famous, stirring a nostalgic feel among fans who have walked their music journey with them. The band can be heard strumming banjos and string instruments throughout the song, as they create a catchy rhythm one can’t help but sing along to. However, as the song progresses, there is a short electronic explosion which gives the song a more contemporary feel.
Rianka Van Antwerpen (21), a BA Social Dynamics student at Stellenbosch University, says she enjoys the way Mumford has gone back to their original sound with a new slight twist.
“I’m so excited for the new album. Although returning to their roots, I think ‘Guiding Light’ is an interesting adaptation of their usual folk-like music. The song is such a feel-good song and makes me feel like I should be on a road trip singing along with my friends! I really like the direction they seem to be going with in this album, and if it’s anything like ‘Guiding Light’, I can’t wait to hear the rest!” says Van Antwerpen.
Marcus Mumford performs to a crowd at Hyde Park in London. Mumford is the band’s front man and lead singer. PHOTO: Creative Commons
Dimitri Leontakianakis, saxophone player and backing vocalist of upcoming South African band Little Ringo, explains that while ‘Guiding Light’ does not surprise fans who have journeyed with the band, Mumford and Sons certainly know their target market.
“There is an offset ridge, vocal harmonies, upbeat rhythmic guitar and banjo riffs that get people’s feet tapping with an inspirational story-telling vibe that comes through most of their music,” says Leontakianakis.
While navigating away from the more commercial rock feel of their previous album, Wilder Mind, the band returns to the string instruments that set them apart in the first place. Although it only targets a niche fan base, well-known music critic, Danie Marais explains that folk-rock is unlikely to ever have the cultural currency it did during the sixties with artists such as Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel, but will still be popular.
“If Mumford and Sons proved anything, it is that a new folk-rock revival is probably always just around the next corner. For those who are looking for something more organic, earthy and home-cooked than mainstream pop glitter and plastic, folk-rock will always hold big appeal,” says Marais.
A fans listens to Mumford and Sons on her phone. PHOTO: Cally Ballack
Crafters of lyrical magic, Mumford and Sons tell immersive stories through their songs and often decorate their words with wonderful literature from playwrights like Shakespeare and other poets. They have continued to do so with ‘Guiding Light’, as they tell their story of a journey navigated by some form of prominent light. Listeners are left guessing whether this light is a spiritual one, a lover, a philosophical journey or something no one has even considered yet.
A few fun facts for the Mumford and Sons fans out there. INFOGRAPHIC: Cally Ballack
Former MFM presenter, Tyrone Fisher, says that ‘Guiding Light’ is a single which he feels is truly representative of the band. “There is a bit more of an electronica synth influence towards their music, and it’s as if they’ve taken the best elements of their previous two albums and combined them together within ‘Guiding Light’.
“I really enjoyed the lyrical content. As always with Mumford and Sons, there’s a deeper message which they want to convey through the song,” says Fisher.
‘Guiding Light’ leaves fans guessing whether Delta, soon-to-be released on 16 November, will take fans back to the stringy feel Mumford and Sons first entered the music scene with, or provide them with something completely new.
Watch here to get lost in a captivating performance by Mumford and Sons of their new single, ‘Guiding Light’: