(self-titled)

by Marcus Mumford

Overview

The debut solo effort from the frontman and namesake of Grammy Award-winning folk-rockers Mumford & Sons, (self-titled) sees Marcus Mumford eschewing the sonic finery of his flagship band for a (mostly) paired-down set of deeply introspective songs. The overarching theme is confronting one's past, whether it be through grievance, acceptance, or atonement. Mumford addresses all three responses in the powerful and discomforting opener "Cannibal," revealing an incident of childhood sexual abuse with a rawness that lingers long after the hopeful strains of the gospel-tinged album closer, "How," fade. Thankfully, the jubilant follow-up "Grace" offers some respite, with Mumford declaring, "Well, how should we proceed?/Without things getting too heavy/Even though I'd never tell you everything/I could've sworn I'd dropped that bomb on you already" over a wall of double-tracked acoustics and a melody torn from the pages of the Jeff Lynne/Tom Petty songbook. The remainder of (self-titled) sees Mumford working through the twin traumas of sexual and substance abuse with signature earnestness and empathy, and with a little help from his friends Phoebe Bridgers ("Stonecatcher"), Clairo ("Dangerous Game"), and Brandi Carlile ("How"). His inclination to bring every piece of music -- no matter how emotionally fraught -- to a fist-pumping crescendo has been tempered a bit, but it's still his ace, and he plays it when cornered. Anchored by Blake Mills' tasteful and creative production, the ten-song set feels like a small step forward for Mumford. It's both rooted in the past and primed for the future, like an exorcism gone right. ~ James Christopher Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	09/16/2022
Label:	Capitol
UPC:	0602448265524

Tracks

1. Cannibal
2. Grace
3. Prior Warning
4. Better Off High
5. Only Child
6. Dangerous Game
7. Better Angels
8. Go in Light
9. Stonecatcher
10. How

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Marcus Mumford   Primary Artist,Guitar (Tenor),Synthesizer Bass,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Drums,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Tenor Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Brandi Carlile   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Clairo   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Phoebe Bridgers   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Monica Martin   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Steve Ferrone   Drums
Lemar Carter   Drums
Danielle Ponder   Vocals
Bryan Stevenson   Piano
Hideaki Aomori   Clarinet,Clarinet (Bass)
Joseph Lorge   Guitar,Guitar (Baritone)
Reuben James   Organ,Synthesizer
Brandon Bost   Bass,Drums,Guitar,Percussion,Guitar (12 String)
Abe Rounds   Tambourine
Gavin Batty   Vocals
Muskers   Vocals
Aaron Embry   Piano
Blake Mills   Bass,Drums,Organ,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Celeste,Gamelan,Guitarron,Harmonium,Marxophone,Percussion,Synthesizer,Synthesizer Bass,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Pino Palladino   Bass
Rob Moose   Strings
Jim Keltner   Drums,Cymbals,Percussion

Technical Credits

Scott Moore   Assistant Engineer
Marcus Mumford   Additional Production,Composer,Producer
Robin Harper   Photography
Ethan Gruska   Composer
Todd Tourso   Package Design,Creative Director
Sounwave   Producer,Drum Programming,Additional Production
Ryan Beatty   Composer
Kid Harpoon   Producer,Additional Production
Robin Pecknold   Composer
Julia Michaels   Composer
Joseph Lorge   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
James Marcus Haney   Photography
Reuben James   Composer
Hotae Alexander Jang   Assistant Engineer
Patricia Sullivan   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Tobias Jesso, Jr.   Composer
Brandon Bost   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Logan Taylor   Assistant Engineer
Clairo   Composer
Claire Cottrill   Composer
Brian Rajaratnam   Assistant Engineer
Daniel Goldsmith   Assistant Engineer
Ryan Beauty   Composer
Blake Mills   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Brandi Carlile   Composer
Raphael Saadiq   Producer,Additional Production
Gabe Lowry   Assistant Engineer