Mumford & Sons Celebrate 50th Album with 'Prizefighter'

The band's sixth studio album features collaborations with Gracie Abrams, Chris Stapleton, and more

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mumford & Sons' new album 'Prizefighter' is the band's sixth full-length studio effort and comes less than a year after their last release, 'Rushmere'. The quick turnaround was sparked by a chance meeting with producer Aaron Dessner, who helped the band connect with collaborators like Gracie Abrams, Jon Bellion, and Chris Stapleton. The album was recorded across studios in France, the UK, and the US, with Dessner's Long Pond Studio in New York serving as a primary recording location.

Why it matters

Mumford & Sons have built a loyal fanbase over the past decade-plus, known for their energetic live shows and folk-rock sound. 'Prizefighter' represents a creative evolution for the band, as they continue to expand their musical palette by working with a wide range of collaborators. The album's quick production timeline also speaks to the band's renewed creative energy and desire to keep pushing their artistry forward.

The details

The band says 'Prizefighter' is their best work to date, with Marcus Mumford declaring 'I love it more than anything we've ever done.' The album features contributions from a number of high-profile artists, including Gracie Abrams, who Mumford credits as the 'fairy godmother' of the project after she heard an early demo and encouraged the band to further develop the song. Other collaborators include Jon Bellion, Brandi Carlile, FINNEAS, Hozier, and country star Chris Stapleton, who Mumford calls a 'hero' and who lent his vocals to the track 'Here'.

  • Mumford & Sons were mixing their previous album 'Rushmore' at Electric Lady Studios in New York when they connected with Aaron Dessner.
  • The band started working on 'Prizefighter' immediately after finishing 'Rushmere', with a freedom and lack of expectations that they say harked back to their early days.
  • Mumford & Sons will be touring extensively to support 'Prizefighter', with a North American tour kicking off on June 2 in Vancouver and running through October.

The players

Mumford & Sons

An English folk rock band formed in 2007, known for their energetic live shows and blend of folk, rock, and pop influences.

Aaron Dessner

A musician, songwriter, and producer who has worked extensively with The National and other artists. He helped spark the creation of 'Prizefighter' through a chance encounter with Mumford & Sons.

Gracie Abrams

A singer-songwriter who has collaborated with Dessner and provided key creative input that helped shape the direction of 'Prizefighter'.

Chris Stapleton

A Grammy-winning country music singer and songwriter who contributed vocals to the track 'Here' on 'Prizefighter'.

Jon Bellion

A singer-songwriter and producer who co-wrote the song 'The Banjo Song' on 'Prizefighter' with Dessner.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I started working on some lyrics right there and then — we're still mixing Rushmere! We were on a side quest. I texted them to her, actually, and said, 'What do you think of this?' She was like the fairy godmother of this record. She touched it with her magic wand and was like, 'Yep, you guys gotta do more.'”

— Marcus Mumford, Lead vocalist, Mumford & Sons (Billboard)

“He came back with his vocal take that just blew us all away. He's a generational talent, and it was a total joy.”

— Marcus Mumford, Lead vocalist, Mumford & Sons (Billboard)

What’s next

Mumford & Sons will return to NBC's Saturday Night Live on February 28 as the musical guest for the first time since 2018.

The takeaway

With 'Prizefighter', Mumford & Sons have crafted an album that showcases their continued evolution as a band, blending their signature folk-rock sound with a wide range of collaborations that push their music in new directions. The album's quick turnaround and creative freedom speak to the band's renewed energy and commitment to constantly challenging themselves artistically.