Bon Iver’s deeply personal “If Only I Could Wait” (featuring Danielle Haim) merges melancholic folk with ethereal production, delving into the delicacy of love and the emotional toll that can arise after its initial excitement.
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Stream: “If Only I Could Wait” – Bon Iver ft. Danielle Haim
Bon Iver’s newest track “If Only I Could Wait” marks a new phase in the project’s journey, while maintaining the emotional richness and soundscape that fans have come to love from Justin Vernon. This song, which is the second single from his forthcoming fifth studio album SABLE, fABLE (set to drop on April 11th via Jagjaguwar), features a haunting collaboration between Vernon and Danielle Haim of the band HAIM. The piece tenderly examines love, vulnerability, and the burden of emotional resilience—qualities that Vernon artfully expresses through his distinctive sound.
SABLE, fABLE – Bon Iver
From the very start of “If Only I Could Wait,” the mood transforms. An unsettling, uneven rhythm grounds the piece, providing a base for the dreamy soundscapes that characterize it. The faint yet persistent percussion creates a layer of tension that supports the track. This subtle complexity is a hallmark of Vernon’s style, as he uses nuanced sonic choices to shape the mood and story. Combined with lush strings and intricate guitar work, listeners are swiftly immersed in the dizzying feelings of both love and the anxiety of losing it.
The remarkable aspect of the track is the undeniable chemistry between Vernon and Haim. Their voices meld effortlessly, as if they are two halves of a shared experience. Each verse stands out, with Vernon’s soulful delivery expressing exhaustion and yearning, while Haim’s voice is smooth and ethereal yet carries its own weight. A clear contrast exists between their respective lines—Vernon’s reflective and weary tone complements Haim’s delicate and almost fragile delivery. However, when they join forces in the chorus, a powerful harmony emerges, signifying something greater than their individual voices. It reflects the tension of the song’s core theme: the struggle of maintaining love when the drive to fight for it seems to wane.
The lyrics encapsulate this emotional conflict. The repetitive refrain, “But what a taste, aw, babe,” evokes a tender remembrance of the blissful beginnings of love, where everything seems boundless. Yet, as the song progresses, the lyrics turn inward, alluding to the exhaustion that arises when a person can no longer present an idealized version of themselves. “How long can the two of us hang on to each other?” Vernon poses a question that resonates with anyone who has confronted the delicate dynamics of relationships, where passion may fade and the effort to sustain it can feel overwhelming.
The production of the song is equally evocative. Crafted by Vernon and Jim-E Stack, SABLE, fABLE features a rich, textured sound that blends organic instruments with electronic elements. The combination of Vernon’s deep, introspective folk roots and Stack’s contemporary production approaches introduces a fresh layer to Bon Iver’s sound. The shimmering strings and gentle synths, though delicate, vibrate with energy, embodying both beauty and fragility. The distortions on the drum loop, along with intricate layers of samples, create an almost dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
“If Only I Could Wait” taps into the emotional delicacy that has long been a hallmark of Bon Iver’s artistry. Vernon’s lyrics are straightforward yet poetic, reflecting the paradox of new love—the exhilarating highs alongside inevitable lows. The simplicity of the words is matched by the profound emotional weight they carry, making it feel like a deeply personal reflection. The way Vernon and Haim deliver the closing lines—“In every way, not for the freight / I’ll best alone in high ways”—captures a rawness that’s hard to articulate yet feels incredibly familiar. It presents an ambiguous resolution, as if acknowledging that sometimes the only path forward is to part ways, despite the pain and uncertainty it brings.
The track’s unique amalgamation of voices, evocative production, and emotional depth distinguishes it. It exemplifies what Vernon does best: transforming a simple human experience into something profoundly affecting through music. SABLE, fABLE is also poised to explore even broader themes. The piece feels like an intimate snapshot, a transient moment that conveys the complexities of love, desire, and the fatigue that can follow the initial thrill of passion. There’s a sense of closure, yet also a recognition that the journey is not over, even if the destination remains unclear.
Bon Iver’s “If Only I Could Wait” resists immediate analysis due to its intricately layered compositions. Each listen unveils new elements—be it the nuanced production, the emotional depth of the vocals, or the lyrical beauty. It’s a song that evolves over time, much like
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Bon Iver's deeply personal "If Only I Could Wait" (featuring Danielle Haim) combines sorrowful folk elements with ethereal production to delve into the delicacy of love and the emotional fatigue that can come after its initial bliss.