If you didn’t follow modern pop music, you might think the release of Mumford & Sons‘ sixth album Prizefighter, would be something only a handful of hardcore fans of the band would pay attention to. After all, here we have a band whose music sits in the folk rock mould, using (particularly in their early days) mostly acoustic folk and bluegrass instrumentation and bringing in lyrics with literary references to Greek classics and Shakespeare. It hardly seems a recipe for worldwide success.
Yet, even mainstream audiences can sometimes show a keen sense to hit on slightly more substantive music, and Mumford & Sons have benefitted from this since their beginnings. Number one albums, Grammys, even the controversy when Winston Marshall left the band have turned the now trio from something ordinary into what you’d perhaps call the Curious Case of Mumford & Sons.
And that now not-so-ordinary story continues with the release of Prizefighter. The first listen gives one certain confirmation – Marcus Mumford and co. don’t intend to stand still; they keep trying develop their art, while holding onto their initial folk concept. They have added a few new elements to bolster their stadium-sized sound, with The National’s Aaron Dessner behind the boards to make it all sound big and anthemic. Even when on surface songs like the closer “Clover” seem acoustically simple, Mumford shows he has an ear to pick out the right tones for a fulfilling listen.
On the other hand, the band’s penchant for strong literary references are still there, but they’re not the kind of intricate thing that will dumbfound or bore listeners; they’re just a function of what they’re trying to convey. For example, on “Icarus”, Mumford sings: “See through the smoke / Just a card in play / That you wrote my name on / Breathing in the cold / How could she throw me away / At least wait ’til I have wings on,” mixing mythology with a spot of closeup magic.
With the notoriety Mumford & Sons have built to date, they are able to bring in some well-known names to guest; Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver, Hozier, Gigi Perez, Gracie Abrams and Chris Stapleton all lend their voices. Yet, none steal the spotlight, their appearances merely function for the benefit of the music.
Prizefighter is the definition of inoffensive. It is unlikely to catch ears of those for whom Mumford & Sons’ sound faded into the background 10 years ago, but it was one of the most anticipated albums of 2026 for fans who welcomed their return from extended absence with 2025’s Rushmere. With their spirited new record, Mumford & Sons have kept that momentum alive.
