Babel (Deluxe)

On their debut, Mumford & Sons showed that acoustic folk could be played as furiously as rock music. Here, they refine that formula, recalling the stirring energy of their live shows. “I Will Wait" is a rush of banjos and harmonies that captures the thrill of young love with just three words, while the brass-powered “Lover of the Light” presents a bigger, bolder Mumfords—a band well-equipped for their graduation to arenas and stadiums. Yet some of Babel's best moments are its quietest, such as the minimal "Reminder", which finds Marcus Mumford singing alone with just an acoustic guitar, suggesting the plaintive tenderness of Jeff Buckley.