MUMFORD AND SONS - BABEL
Vinyl LP – Gatefold Sleeve
Following the breakthrough success of their debut, Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons returned in September 2012 with Babel, an ambitious second album that expanded their signature folk-rock sound into something bigger, bolder and more assured. Combining banjo-driven melodies, acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and soaring vocal harmonies, the record captures a band embracing its growing sound while retaining the raw energy that first brought them international recognition.
Produced by Markus Dravs, Babel builds on the foundations of the band's debut, balancing intimate songwriting with arrangements designed to fill the biggest stages. Across twelve tracks, Marcus Mumford and the band explore love, loyalty, faith, doubt and the challenges of navigating life's uncertainties, creating a collection that moves between quiet reflection and explosive, foot-stomping choruses.
The album opens with its powerful title track, setting the tone with driving rhythms and layered instrumentation. “Whispers in the Dark” delivers an urgent, guitar-led arrangement, while “I Will Wait” became one of the band's defining songs, combining infectious momentum with a chorus built for communal singalongs. “Holland Road” offers a more vulnerable moment, gradually building towards an emotionally charged climax.
Elsewhere, “Ghosts That We Knew” showcases the band's gentler, more contemplative side, while “Lover of the Light” pairs a steady, propulsive rhythm with an uplifting melody. The second half moves between the reflective atmosphere of “Lovers' Eyes”, the expansive energy of “Hopeless Wanderer” and the darker intensity of “Broken Crown”. “Below My Feet” builds around rich harmonies and powerful percussion, before “Not with Haste” closes the album on a more measured and reassuring note.
Commercially, Babel became a landmark release for Mumford & Sons, reaching number one in both the UK and US and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2013. Its success cemented the band's place on the international stage and helped bring contemporary folk-rock to an even wider audience.
Presented on vinyl in a gatefold sleeve, Babel is a substantial addition to any Mumford & Sons collection. From its driving acoustic arrangements to its expansive production and unmistakable harmonies, the album captures the band at a defining moment in their career.
Artist: Mumford & Sons
Album: Babel
Format: 12" Vinyl LP
Sleeve: Gatefold
Label: Island Records / Gentlemen of the Road
Release Date: 24 September 2012
Catalogue Number: 3710659
Barcode: 0602537106592
Genre: Folk Rock / Indie Folk / Alternative Rock
Producer: Markus Dravs
Number of Discs: 1
Number of Tracks: 12
Tracklist
Side A
Babel
Whispers in the Dark
I Will Wait
Holland Road
Ghosts That We Knew
Lover of the Light
Side B
Lovers' Eyes
Reminder
Hopeless Wanderer
Broken Crown
Below My Feet
Not with Haste
