Wilder Mind
by Mumford & Sons
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 189 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 189
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 189
  3. Negative: 73 out of 189
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  1. Muddsjr
    May 6, 2015
    2
    on the whole, it's obvious Mumford And Sons simply had nothing else to say with their more folky style predecessors and have simply gone on to be not brilliantly changed in any manner, but just further more unconvincing than before.
  2. Nedloh94
    May 8, 2015
    0
    Disliking Mumford & Sons is no novelty. Anyone can do it. Unfortunately, with the uninspired change in direction on Wilder Mind, a record so drenched in rock clichés, and without any sense of purpose, M&S make loathing the group almost as easy as not caring at all.
  3. BrushedRed
    May 8, 2015
    1
    This was a slap to the face to say the least. I've always loved Mumford. Sigh No More is great; it has this really nice cinematic feel to it and it's quite unique. Babel is alright. It took Sigh No More and went poppy, which I don't think was the best direction, but it was listenable at the worst. This new album, Wilder Mind, is just awful. I was hoping after they went in a poppierThis was a slap to the face to say the least. I've always loved Mumford. Sigh No More is great; it has this really nice cinematic feel to it and it's quite unique. Babel is alright. It took Sigh No More and went poppy, which I don't think was the best direction, but it was listenable at the worst. This new album, Wilder Mind, is just awful. I was hoping after they went in a poppier direction and losing some fans, they'd go back to what made them special right? Cinematic songs, banjo solos, folkish vibes... Wrong! (Apparently). They go even poppier and turn to pure crap. Gone are the days of the good Mumford and Sons. You won't find a single banjo moment or anything on this album. They've turned to washed out Coldplay wannabes, except even worse. I can't say I've completely lost faith in them but my faith is definitely slim. This album is worth a 0 and less but I try to avoid rating albums 0's.… Expand
  4. davim
    May 5, 2015
    1
    It was certainly a brave move for Mumford & Sons to change their style from more of a folk rock genre towards an alternative/indie style. However, after one listen of 'Wilder Minds', it shows they certainly are a long way from effectively pulling this off. The band have opted for a style of indie that is being constantly overused in modern music. An overproduced, dull and somewhat datedIt was certainly a brave move for Mumford & Sons to change their style from more of a folk rock genre towards an alternative/indie style. However, after one listen of 'Wilder Minds', it shows they certainly are a long way from effectively pulling this off. The band have opted for a style of indie that is being constantly overused in modern music. An overproduced, dull and somewhat dated sound, that is almost safe and chart-friendly. It must be disappointing for the true Mumford & Sons fans; ditching a somewhat distinctive sound of banjos, kickdrums and folk rock, for the safer option.

    In terms of the actual album, it's clear Mumford & Sons are decent musicians. We've seen this from their previous 2 albums, 'Sigh No More' and 'Babel'. However this time around, lyrically, Marcus Mumford's voice seems to become more irritating as the album progresses. The vast majority of these songs lack any direction at all and have very little impact on the listener. I understand that bands can't follow the same path for their whole career; we've seen bands change their style and image over the years, such as The Cure and Arctic Monkeys, amongst others. But for me, Mumford & Sons have followed a similar path of Coldplay, and effectively sold-out with this album. They had a distinctive and unique sound that is now long gone.

    The fact people are giving this album 10 out of 10 and saying it has 'silenced the critics' is ludicrous. A disappointing album to say the least.    … Expand
  5. StuckOnReviews
    May 7, 2015
    1
    What is this? They basically took everything out that I liked about them they used to be unique now they are just bland I only give this a 1 when it should be a 0 but I kinda like Ditmas

    ESSENTIAL- Ditmas
  6. Custom_Concerns
    May 7, 2015
    3
    Mumford & Sons continue to rehash their perfectly manufactured style, resulting in more of the same. At this point, there really isn't much more that can be said about this band. They've reproduced and reproduced the same album over and over to great commercial success. I for one find them immeasurably dull.
  7. DasBarto
    May 8, 2015
    2
    I have given this album a week to grow on me and it hasn't. It's so damn boring. I get this won't be a popular opinion, but **** guys this is really bad. I'll write my feelings for the songs as I listen again. Heads up it'll probably be pretty scathing.

    1-Tompkins Square Park [2/10]- "Oh babe." It's amazing that Marcus could read my mind and translate my feelings for this song into one    I have given this album a week to grow on me and it hasn't. It's so damn boring. I get this won't be a popular opinion, but **** guys this is really bad. I'll write my feelings for the songs as I listen again. Heads up it'll probably be pretty scathing.

    1-Tompkins Square Park [2/10]- "Oh babe." It's amazing that Marcus could read my mind and translate my feelings for this song into one line. TSP has to be one of the blandest and most vapid love "ballads" I've listened to in a while.

    2-Believe [2/10]- "Well I don't even know if I believe, I don't even know if I wanna believe." Again Marcus summarized my angst for a song within the song itself. To me the song starts strong and ends on a whimper. It's far too generic and too poorly written for a passing grade.

    3-The Wolf [1/10]- The first true stinker on Wilder Mind for me. Whereas TSP and "Believe" are just drab, "The Wolf" adds the element of being characterless. It almost sounds like Christian Rock it's so sterile.

    4-Wilder Mind [6/10]- The title track is one of the few songs I actually simi-enjoy. It's still safe, but at least there's some lyrical content to hang on to this time. It's still not great or is it even that good, but I'm still so jaded by how awful "The Wolf" was I'll settle for okay this time around.

    5-Just Smoke [4/10]- Back to the spiritless love songs? Ugh. Fine. Goddamn it just put a banjo in the chorus and it almost seems like "Just Smoke" could have been saved from mediocrity. I will say "Just Smoke" is far more fun than any song before it, so it scores a bonus point for putting some caffeine in this Ambien of an album.

    6-Monster [3/10]- **** you telling me what not to do, I'll pick at the seams of this song all I want. "Monster" sounds like any other rock song on the radio right now: flat and lifeless.

    7-Snake Eyes [6/10]: I quite like "Snake Eyes." Yeah it's still safe and pretty generic, but at least it's more lively and fun than the previous six songs.

    8-Broad-Shouldered Beasts [1/10]- The only thing more boring than this song is reading my review of this album, probably. Also, B-SB is also particularly maddening to me because of the pace problems. The verses are so ****ing slow I get pulled out the song every time I listen. The only saving grace for B-SB, to me, are the quick and impacting choruses.

    9-Cold Arms [3/10]- It's haunting. Not the song itself, but the fact Mumford and Sons seem to be shells of their former selves.

    10-Ditmas [0.5/10]- Worst song on Wilder mind. Holy **** it's bad. I'm actually having a hard time formulating words for how much I distaste "Ditmas." Lyrics are ghastly and the music is appallingly undistinguished.

    11-Only Love [2/10]: I'm fairly certain teenagers write deeper sonnets on their desks in Biology class. The first half of the song sluggishly builds to an unenthusiastic payoff. It's strange, Mumford used to be so good at making music that built towards climactic finales, but he seems to have lost his way in that regard.

    12-Hot Gates [3/10]- Like "Only Love" before it, there is so much build up for no payoff. It's musical blue balls. It's just like dry humping for ten minutes then having to leave for dinner.

    My final score on Wilder Mind 2/10. I came into this album with such high hopes, but I left feeling so underwhelmed and sad. Sad that the best part of Mumford has died with their banjo.
    Edit: I'll make it clear. I quite liked Babel and Sigh No More, but that just makes my disappointment sting all the more.    … Expand
  8. Breakdown
    May 7, 2015
    2
    Disappointing. I can understand the desire to try something new and prove to the critics that they are not just all strings and guitars. However to leave their signature "Mumford" sound behind, they end up sounding like a Coldplay cover band. Sorely disappointed.
  9. vilnius1323
    May 5, 2015
    0
    What a disappointment! First three songs of the album at least sounds a little interesting, after there is impression that you listening the same song again and again... M&S just became completely unremarkable band. Bring back banjos!!!
  10. drecool95
    May 7, 2015
    0
    Generic, mindless, and heartless. Really doesn't bring anything to the table, and comes off as deeply empty and without a message. Where their first two albums were generic and boring, yet had a slight aura of genuine emotion, this album comes off as pure radio rock, written exclusively as a means of making money. This may very well be the worst album of the past decade, and I mean that sincerely.
  11. fitchpork
    May 4, 2015
    0
    Don't know why anyone would say the critics are silenced. just look at the reviews on this site, with many more to come. First of all, the album and the many interviews given in advance of its release demonstrate that M$S were only tourists in the world of folk. They have forsworn the banjo, the clothes and even the name of the band. Don't know where that leaves their legion of loyalDon't know why anyone would say the critics are silenced. just look at the reviews on this site, with many more to come. First of all, the album and the many interviews given in advance of its release demonstrate that M$S were only tourists in the world of folk. They have forsworn the banjo, the clothes and even the name of the band. Don't know where that leaves their legion of loyal fans. Many of them are feeling hoodwinked. This is such a safe and pallid exercise in indie rock. It shows them to be a band with very limited musical imagination. They are gentlemen of the middle of the road. There is change of style and of costume, but most of all what this is is a just a change in algorithm.… Expand
  12. ThunderRam
    May 5, 2015
    0
    This album is garbage. And it's extremely sad to say that.

    When I first listened to their Banjo/Folk Sound I would literally sing as loud as possibly could and dance uncontrollably and could memorize every song. Every song on previous albums could have been Grammy worthy. This new album is so bland, dull, uninteresting, not fun, and not memorable! I would hope they learn from this    This album is garbage. And it's extremely sad to say that.

    When I first listened to their Banjo/Folk Sound I would literally sing as loud as possibly could and dance uncontrollably and could memorize every song. Every song on previous albums could have been Grammy worthy.

    This new album is so bland, dull, uninteresting, not fun, and not memorable!

    I would hope they learn from this and go back to their original sound.    … Expand
  13. ace82fadeout
    May 31, 2015
    3
    As soon as Wilder Mind was announced my head raced with thoughts that likely resonated with many people who were fans of their previous albums Babel and Sigh No More, I was excited to hear what intellectual greatness the band could put to a melody like so few can. I mean very few artists could ever hope to be such a mainstream success with modern music fans with references to Steinbeck,As soon as Wilder Mind was announced my head raced with thoughts that likely resonated with many people who were fans of their previous albums Babel and Sigh No More, I was excited to hear what intellectual greatness the band could put to a melody like so few can. I mean very few artists could ever hope to be such a mainstream success with modern music fans with references to Steinbeck, Shakespeare, Plato, The Bible and other pillars of literary genius that lend their brilliance to Mumford and Sons success among their previous works. However upon my listening of Wilder Mind my feelings for the album go far beyond that of disappointment or dissatisfaction but rather into the realm of anger. Wilder Mind is a prime example of what money can do to unique artists. To put it in boldest terms the album is a sellout. Perhaps its unfair of me to say that, perhaps the band is experimenting with a new sound and if that's truly what the band is trying to do then by all means whether I enjoy the music or not, who am I to insult the integrity of the creative process if that's the case. But that's not the case. It's easy to say that the bands previous albums were brilliant, poetic even. They were a keystone of what folk music should be. However with Wilder Mind the band seems to have completely wandered from their niche in the genre, the album finds itself void of what made the previous two so great, both lyrically and instrumentally. The pure poetry and storytelling that we've come to expect from the band has been lost with Wilder Mind with the album being desolate of the literary references and substance that defined the beauty of the songwriting that truly was pure gold in their previous works. In fact, as much as it pains me to say it, I would even call the writing in WIlder Mind shallow. Similar statements could be made about the instrumental aspect of the album equally. The glorious banjo swings and acoustic guitar that accentuated the essence of the songs themselves are instead replaced with a pop sound that doesn't compliment the band or the albums potential. Yes, despite all the negative remarks I have about the album it still had potential. The album does have slightly more use to me then simply being a coaster. The album still had small gleams of decency in songs such as Hot Gates and Monster that do give me hope for the future of the band. However what were highlights of this album would have almost undoubtedly been the low points should they have been released with either Babel or Sigh No More. I will go on record saying that many of people will disagree with me. In fact its because of the bands compromising their sound so much that the band will inevitably appeal to a more broad crowd. However the cult following the band had by traditional folk music fans will certainly collapse which I will bet my life results in a decline in the bands overall popularity among this crowd, a reflection of the quality of their music. It's these very die hard fans that made the band what they are today and its these fans that feel the same anger I do when M&S seemingly hands a slap in the face with Wilder Mind. My closing opinion of the album must remain a strongly negative one. When the album was released I expected nothing short of greatness. An expectation Mumford and Sons has lived up to in the past. Instead however we got Wilder Mind, an album that defines the very word "Sellout".… Expand
  14. JD_Bogerdy
    Jul 6, 2015
    3
    'Unoriginal' is the better word for this album than 'bad', although bad is fitting as well. Boring & Uninspired. everything that made Mumford & Sons the huge band that they now are, was missing from this album. Marcus' voice, his passion and soul, is hidden by the louder 'plugged in' instruments. I respect bands for trying new things, but I lose respect for them when they fail to'Unoriginal' is the better word for this album than 'bad', although bad is fitting as well. Boring & Uninspired. everything that made Mumford & Sons the huge band that they now are, was missing from this album. Marcus' voice, his passion and soul, is hidden by the louder 'plugged in' instruments. I respect bands for trying new things, but I lose respect for them when they fail to see/accept when it does not work. Wilder Mind does not work.… Expand
  15. sphinmo
    Aug 8, 2015
    3
    Having enjoyed both the debut album and Babel I was intrigued to hear what this album would be like. It was highly disappointing. Don't get me wrong Ditmas, Snake Eyes and The Wolf are good tracks but that is about it. The rest of the album is garbage. The charm and uniqueness Mumford and Sons brough to their first two albums is lost on this and it just sounds very mediocre, generic rockHaving enjoyed both the debut album and Babel I was intrigued to hear what this album would be like. It was highly disappointing. Don't get me wrong Ditmas, Snake Eyes and The Wolf are good tracks but that is about it. The rest of the album is garbage. The charm and uniqueness Mumford and Sons brough to their first two albums is lost on this and it just sounds very mediocre, generic rock music. Don't waste your time and money.… Expand
  16. daffouk
    Oct 24, 2015
    0
    I was very disappointed with this album. Mumford have lost their unique and distinctive sound, this could have been recorded by any boy band. My copy has now been binned
  17. TomMN
    Dec 26, 2015
    2
    M&S traded their unique sound and energy for mediocre generic pop-rock. When I listen to this style (and I do, often) I listen to bands who do it well, not this "me-too" crap.
  18. MACHOMACHOMAN
    Jun 19, 2015
    0
    hated it the music sounded stupid I wish they would go back to what they used to be when there music was actually listenable now it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth and my ears
  19. JCM20
    Apr 16, 2016
    0
    Never in my life have I heard such depressing, boring garbage. Even Morrissey isn't as depressing as this nonsense. Mumford & Sons were bad enough before, but now they're actually trying to be a proper rock band and they've ended up sounding even **** than Nickelback

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2015
92
#92 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29
  1. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    40
    Far from electrifying. [Jun 2015, p.86]
  2. Under The Radar
    May 14, 2015
    60
    With Wilder Mind, they eschew their recognizable sound, supplanting it with a less memorable collection of songs more readily relegated to background music than either of their previous albums. As big and perhaps unanticipated an adjustment as it is, however, Wilder Mind then deepens and improves with each consecutive listen.
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    May 11, 2015
    40
    Wilder Mind is incredibly one-track, so much so that even on your first listen-through, you’ll likely already feel like you’ve heard closer ‘Hot Gates’ five or six times in the past hour.
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