It isn't every day that you stumble upon America's answer to Mumford & Sons. The Lumineers, a Colorado-by-way-of-New York folk trio made up of Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites, and Neyla Pekarek, have been gaining momentum behind the strength of their single, "Ho Hey," an upbeat singalong ode that's popping up in TV shows and Bing commercials. They're foot-stomping and hand-clapping their way into our consciousness -- wielding a familiar but different brand of folk rock.

The comparisons between The Lumineers and those UK boys that blew up in 2010 are obvious and well-documented, but it's what differentiates the two that really makes The Lumineers worthwhile. While Mumford & Sons draped us in their pensiveness and insecurity, The Lumineers' songs are upbeat and optimistic, inclusive instead of introverted. And there's a tinge of timelessness in The Lumineers that makes them even more alluring. Look no further than "Ho Hey" for proof. Schultz's "I believe in you" professions are sanguine, their charms undeniable. Listening to The Lumineers it's hard not to join in the party and share the joy for music that these three musicians clearly have.

If you need another reason to smile, just check out the video for "Ho Hey."



The Lumineers self-titled debut album is out now.