Formed in London in 2021, mUmbo is a musical trio that offers a truly unique sonic experience. Comprising multi-instrumentalist Doug MacGowan, known for his prowess on electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, and bass, enchanting vocalist Emma Semple, who also lends her skills on violin and viola, and Italian drummer Antonio Dale, who joined the ensemble in 2022, mUmbo weaves a sonic tapestry that defies genre boundaries.
Influenced by a shared love for artists like Mazzy Star, Goldfrapp, Little Feat, Ry Cooder, and Johnny Marr, mUmbo’s sound is a fusion of rock, indie pop, blues, folk, and jazz. Introduced to the world in August 2021 with their debut album, “I Fly With Swallows,” released via Silhouette Records, mUmbo has since evolved with the addition of Antonio on drums, marking a new chapter for the trio. Throughout the year, they have released four singles, and their latest offering is the mesmerizing “Red Balloons.”
Leaning into a wistful indie folk sound, “Red Balloons” is a stunning song of timeless quality. The track opens with the playful flutter of guitar notes, as Emma Semple’s elegant voice enters above the snap of laid-back drums and warm pulses of bass guitar. Spinning intricate melodic leads, backed by soft vocalizations, mUmbo crafts an inviting alternative folk scene with subtle psychedelic undertones, resulting in a dazzling sound. Moments of spacey processing add depth, and Emma’s voice dances beautifully above it all as the song builds to a hypnotic finale, brimming with splashy drums and mesmeric string flourishes.
With profound songwriting, mUmbo tackles the theme of holding onto hope and optimism in the face of frequent struggle and discouragement. The title, “Red Balloons,” with its imagery of balloons floating against the sky, symbolizes the persistence of optimism in the midst of adversity. This sensational new song sees the band taking another step closer to capturing the purest distillation of their original sonic vision. As mUmbo continues to explore and evolve their sound, “Red Balloons” stands as a testament to their ability to create music that is both timeless and deeply resonant.
