Bon Iver offers a stripped-down return to vulnerability with EP, ‘SABLE’
Justin Vernon, the mastermind behind Bon Iver, first captivated listeners in 2007 with For Emma, Forever Ago. This debut album is still regarded as one of the best folk records, rich in its heart-wrenching beauty. Since then, Vernon has consistently switched up his sound, delving into experimental electronica and surprising collaborations, like his recent feature on Charli XCX’s brat remix album.
SABLE album cover
However, “SABLE,” his latest EP, brings Bon Iver back to a more stripped-down, acoustic sound that evokes his earlier work while still offering something new. It’s folk at its essence but filtered through the lens of a more experienced, introspective artist, continuing to evolve musically while maintaining the emotional core that made his early albums so touching.
The EP opens with “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS,” where Vernon’s lyricism is reminiscent of the abstract, interpretive style he has honed in more recent projects like i, i. The vague line “There are things behind things behind things” can be unpacked in infinite ways, allowing listeners to draw their own emotional connections. Accompanied by steady guitar strumming and minimal instrumentals, the song balances simplicity with complexity, as Vernon emotionally admits, “I am afraid of changing.” His haunting, descending vocal cadence emphasizes the tension between longing and loss.
“S P E Y S I D E” is the most personal of the EP, with Vernon’s voice laid bare, clearer than ever, free from the usual processing or reverb. Over a single guitar, he confesses, “I know now that I can’t make good / How I wish I could,” with a kind of vulnerability that tugs at the heart. His raw question, “What is wrong with me?” comes in an emotionally charged croon, conveying a sense of deep hopelessness.
The EP’s closer, “AWARDS SEASON,” takes a quieter approach but builds in emotional intensity. Vernon’s voice initially stands alone, accompanied only by a faint hum of synths that mimic the sound of wind howling in the background. As he sings, “I can handle way more than I can handle,” the track crescendos into a full arrangement of piano, pedal steel, and saxophone that become an orchestral swell that could easily bring someone to tears. And just as it swells, it retreats into a whisper for the final verse, juxtaposing his lament about change with the bittersweet line, “But you know what will stay? / Everything we’ve made.”
Overall, “SABLE” feels like an intimate, vulnerable offering from Bon Iver. While the EP’s stripped-down nature hearkens back to his early work, it also radiates a sense of maturity and growth, making it a beautiful chapter in Vernon’s ever-evolving journey as an artist.