Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a collaborative EP recorded over two days at the South African Broadcasting Corporation in early 2016. Following their 'Wilder Mind' tour, Mumford & Sons sought to capture the energy of their South African performances by recording with local and international collaborators, including Senegalese master Baaba Maal, South African pop trio Beatenberg, and the London-based Afro-Western duo The Very Best. This project represents a significant sonic departure, moving away from the Americana-influenced 'stomp and holler' and the 80s-inspired rock of their previous albums toward a sound heavily influenced by Afrobeat and highlife. The EP was produced by the band alongside Swedish producer Johan Hugo. Critically, it was seen as a successful experiment in cross-cultural exchange, praised for its rhythmic vitality and the seamless integration of Baaba Maal's vocals into the band's anthemic structures.