Believe

The harmonic structure of 'Believe' is defined by extreme economy. By restricting the verse and chorus to a simple I-IV oscillation, Mumford & Sons emphasize the shift in their sonic identity from acoustic folk to atmospheric electric rock. The tension is built through texture and volume rather than chord substitutions. The shift to the vi-IV-I-V progression in the bridge serves as the song's emotional peak, providing a sense of urgency and traditional functional resolution that is withheld during the first half of the track.

After attending a friend's wedding in Texas, the band stayed at a ranch for a week to write songs. This period resulted in the material for their third album, moving away from their established acoustic sound.

Released in 2015 as the lead single for 'Wilder Mind', the track signaled a departure from the band's signature acoustic instrumentation toward synthesizers and electric guitars. It was written during a week-long retreat at a Texas ranch and eventually topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart.