Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE

      At this point, Justin Vernon has earned our trust. As the driving creative force behind Bon Iver, one of the most accomplished alternative bands in the past twenty years, and through a variety of impressive side projects that span genres from blues rock to hip-hop, he approaches everything with purpose and conviction.

      This often leads to fascinating works, and more frequently than not, he produces masterpieces. Since the inception of Bon Iver, Vernon’s self-mythology – crafted from interviews, liner notes, and the interpretations of fans who attach their own experiences and heartbreak to the music – has added a captivating depth to the stories and characters within his albums.

      Transitioning from indie folk in the acclaimed ‘For Emma, Forever Ago,’ to the synth-rock of his 2011 self-titled album, and then the experimental electronica of ‘22, A Million’ and ‘i,i,’ he has consistently demonstrated an ability to discover warmth within colder, more delicate musical landscapes.

      This background made the ‘SABLE’ EP, which was released last autumn, seem like the start of a new chapter rather than a definitive conclusion, arriving five years after the group’s previous album. At just 12 minutes long, there was beauty to be found, but its brief duration left the message feeling incomplete.

      The announcement that this EP signaled the beginning of the next Bon Iver full-length project provided clarity. An introduction of sorrow and emotional struggle reminiscent of ‘For Emma…’ transitions into a brighter, more optimistic, and (dare I say) overtly joyful viewpoint that Vernon has seldom embraced so openly.

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      In the newly released nine tracks that comprise the ‘fABLE’ section of the album, Vernon’s well-documented admiration for earnest songwriters like Bruce Hornsby and John Prine is prominently featured. He captivates his audience with a shimmering blend of synth, piano, and his signature falsetto. This album captures the fervent initial stages of a new romantic journey, underpinned by past heartbreaks, yet it refuses to let those experiences define it or hinder the pursuit of true happiness.

      It regards failures and broken relationships as lessons for a brighter future, where the kind of love often romanticized in literature becomes accessible again. The lead single ‘Everything Is Peaceful Love’ turns out to be far more substantial than the superficial implications of its title, asserting that this new love interest is “favored now by fifty, and I’m right at home.” Even the notoriously earnest Peter Gabriel would aspire to write such a line.

      As the album progresses, particularly in highlights like ‘Walk Home’ and ‘There’s A Rhythm,’ this theme continues, with passionate declarations infused with the wisdom of experience rather than the cynicism often associated with those worn down by the very connections most of us yearn for.

      At times, this positivity emerges exuberantly, as in the track ‘Day One’ featuring Dijon and Flock of Dimes, yet it remains tasteful and unfiltered. One has the sense that this work serves as a companion to ‘For Emma, Forever Ago,’ with the now 43-year-old Vernon finding harmony with the beauty of love and human connection in a manner his 26-year-old self, isolated in a cabin in rural Wisconsin, could not. It's lush, expansive, and generous in its worldview, which speaks volumes coming from one of the foremost chroniclers of pain and loss of his generation.

      ‘SABLE, fABLE’ is a creation of exceptional beauty and hope that fits seamlessly into the discography of a group that has consistently produced remarkable art. With experimentation taking a backseat for the first time in some time, Vernon places his trust in the core of his artistry, revealing what many have known all along: he is one of the most talented lyricists and songwriters in contemporary music.

      9/10

      Words: Michael Watkins