Mumford & Sons have made "sacrifices" for their new album

Keyboardist Ben Lovett said: "The cynics can all f**k off. We think this new record will attract a different audience and broaden people's views of us.

"We have made so many sacrifices and we've not taken the easiest route. And so I hope people do understand where we are coming from because it's a good place, not a capitalistic venture at all."

The band added the focus of their new record is to encourage people to see them live.

Lead singer Marcus Mumford told The Sun newspaper: "We want our second album to be an advert for our live shows.

"That's why it's more of a mixture than the first record. I'll tour until I'm dead as that's where we are most at home.

"And I hope that's come across in 'Babel'."

The band, which also includes Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane, are playing at the London Roundhouse with Willy Mason on September 24 - the same day that 'Babel' is released - as part of the iTunes festival, before jetting off to Australia and New Zeleand to tour in October.