On October 24th, Mumford and Sons released a single with Hozier called “Rubber Band Man.” Mumford and Sons gave word that their new album Prizefighter is to be released on February 13th, 2026. This single was a fantastic way to get people excited for what’s to come. The single has taste, and I love it, so let’s get into it.
The track starts with a finger picking pattern on an acoustic guitar which is a classic way to blend the styles of Hozier and Mumford and Sons into one. The lyrics take us into a situation in which a person feels they can’t win in life. They feel that the bad times just keep coming and their mind is just too crowded. Themes of loss come in with the lyric, “Dying to raise the dead.” The chorus is speaking to a person that is far away, perhaps someone who has passed away or just physically far. They will be remembered for the person that they were and the joy they brought to this life. Even though this person is gone in some capacity, they will be remembered in such a positive light that it will shut out the darkness. The lyric, “I know you by your heart/And I will call you by your name” is a poetic way to say that two people know each other so well and so much deeper beyond just names, but they use names because there is no other way to express such admiration and understanding. The next verses’ story is told in Hozier’s voice. He wants people to know that in life, it doesn’t matter what you are but you should never dwell on the past and the things that have gone wrong. The music comes to a slow and adds a ring of piano into the bridge section. The bridge sends a message that the most important thing is being together and supporting what another person needs from a relationship. The last chorus breaks barriers by adding the screaming harmonies that emphasize the lyrics. This type of technique adds a feeling of adrenaline to a song that makes you want to scream the lyrics off tall cliffs and rooftops. The outro is a quieter section that takes us into a scene with a couple. The details of where the couple is located are not included, but in this aspect it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that they are together and they must cherish the moment. Ending with the lyrics “If nothing lasts forever, babe/Then can we make a start?” is a beautiful way to leave the message up for interpretation.
The entire track is a perfect blend of loss and sadness that is uplifted by the art of music. I love the way that Mumford and Sons as well as Hozier are always able to take such soul crushing messages and turn them into deceivingly dark symphonies. Most of their music can be left up for interpretation much of the time, and this message is no different. I find this particular song to be reminiscent of possible lost loved ones, as well as falling out of love yet still caring from afar. The way that they lay all these things out and combine it with intricate finger picking and small details lights up the soul and ignites a feeling of hope.
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