Mumford & Sons have a lot going for them. Their rise to fame fits in nicely with the commonly loved tale of an underdog finding success. For though their rousing, triumphant debut Sigh No More reached No. 1 in New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, and No. 2 in Britain and America, that popularity was slow-burning and hard-won.
They know how to write a catchy folk song, got producer Markus Dravs (who's worked with Arcade Fire and Coldplay) on board, and they've built their fan base via acclaimed live performances where they come off as the kind of guys it'd be fun to share a beer with.
So perhaps it's not surprising, that though their fans are not hyperventilating tweenagers, their second album looks set to be one of the biggest-selling releases of 2012.
And Babel is pretty much what fans would reasonably expect from their modern folk heroes. Strong vocal harmonies, rootsy strumming, intricate bluegrass phrases, large-scale sweeping melodies, interspersed with the occasional intimate musing. There's minimal drumming or electric guitar this time around, but plenty of banjo and mandolin, a touch more piano, and every now and then, in an especially emotional peak, you can just hear a Coldplay-esque synth or organ.
Literary influences also continue, along with some allegorical styling, and vague references to faith and salvation - though these are always in relation to humanity, rather than specific religion. It's all quite poetic, and there's no denying their talents.
