The Modern Mode: Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons

The banjo is aggressive, the bass drum is like a punch in the face, and the atmospheric effects give this track a chill that pervades even the fuller moments. The song is driven and purposeful and insists on attention. I was struck by rich earth tones, mostly browns, oranges, and rusty reds, which must speak to the organic quality of the all-acoustic line-up. The shapes are like leaves with strong, constantly morphing outlines. What's fascinating is that the lines don't hold the colors, they all mix together without any regard for borders. After a bit, the lines are the most striking part: very dark, with glowing white borders.

This photograph by Kathe LeSage really nails the richness of the tones. They were so fully saturated I felt like they would have the richness and feel of thick hot fudge. And actually the way the feathers appear in this shot almost captures the leaf-like shapes, but generally it is the boldness of the color and the sense of fluid motion that speaks to the song's rich texture and boldness.

When I saw this vintage dress from General Whimsy, I was struck by its print. The colors aren't quite right (too washed out) and the shapes are square rather than more fluid, I really felt it captured the essence of the morphing lines, right down to the glowing edges around the lines. I can't say for sure what caused these lines to appear and become more vibrant as the song progressed since musically little changes, but perhaps the level of intensity which continues without abating almost causes a sort of sensory overload.

For me, this gorgeous cape from Anita Clarke encapsulates a more subtle atmospheric quality of the song. The effects used are like a strong wind heard from inside a house or a train car. In that sense, the song has a coldness to it, despite the vitality and richness. This cape carries with it a sense of being protected from that wind while still being in the middle of it, rather than hiding out indoors. In this way, it gives a sense of the coldness but also the power and strength of the song.

Pheasant Back signed photograph by Kathe LeSage $30
Vintage L'Aiglon mod print dress from General Whimsy $30
Vintage tweed cape from Anita Clarke $160

GET THE LOOK: MUMFORD AND SONS

This British group has such a cohesive style, it was impossible to pick just one band member on whom to focus. They have an endearing vintage look, with country and rockabilly infusions. It's a folksy, broken-in, down-home look straight out of a 1920s Appalachian town. It's an easiness which speaks to their folk roots but belies the passion and drive of their music.