On April 11, Bon Iver released “SABLE, fABLE” its fifth studio album. This album is a continuation of their most recent ep “SABLE.” This album is two sided, with Disc 1 being “SABLE.” Disc 2 includes the additions which make it a full album, presumably called “fABLE.”
Bon Iver originated as a solo group, but now it is more of a two-piece, kind of like The White Stripes. The difference is that the original artist consults the same people frequently, but they’re not exactly in the group, from what I understand.
I am by no means a music snob, my playlist will go from sludge metal to Lauryn Hill, but those who know me know that I don’t particularly like folky music. I just feel like If I wanted to subject myself to banjo and a horn chorus, I would go visit my family back in Appalachia. There is no reason to do that with my precious free time!
So, when I heard about the new Bon Iver album, I was definitely skeptical, but I know he is a huge deal in that genre, so I wanted to give it a shot.
While I was researching Bon Iver, I realized they did have a few songs that I’m familiar with, especially the song they produced for the “Twilight” saga. Bon Iver is also infamously featured on an unnamed rapper’s album. If you’re curious, look it up. That name isn’t worthy of being spelled out by my hands.
But anyway, the album opens with an interlude titled “…” This interlude is 11 seconds of a high frequency pitch. It’s kind of hard to tell if it’s an amp shrieking or string instruments tuning. It is quite interesting and certainly demands attention.
This interlude then fades beautifully in to the next track on Disc 1: “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND.” This track is very ambient, featuring classical string instruments and acoustic guitar. I like this track. It is good, but I do think it is boring.
If I’m being honest, Disc 1 was a snoozefest, but Disc 2 is pretty redeeming. Again, I am not really familiar with this group’s work, but “fABLE” seems to experiment more sonically and within the genre in general. There is a tangible electronic pop-kind-of element to the second track, “Everything is Peaceful Love.”
My favorite track on the album is “From,” opening with a darkwave kind of spunk yet having a country like twang to it. This song is a really fun listen, and I think the way it’s mixed really supplements that, illuminating the guitar with significantly less reverb than other songs on this album.
I think overall the album is objectively beautiful, leaving an impression on the listener with its ambient folk sound. I think I would be a bigger fan if I was more partial to the genre and tradition it comes from.
I also think the story of the album makes it a worthwhile listen, and I could imagine myself being inspired if I was a fan of Bon Iver. This album was produced in lieu of the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020 and takes the listener on a journey through the artist’s experience and growth.