SABLE, fABLE - Bon Iver: Review
Review by Lavender:
Bon Iver is one of the most acclaimed indie folk artists of the past 20 years. Helmed by Justin Vernon, the band's first two albums were beloved folk darlings of the indie blog era. Their next two albums in 2016 and 2019 were much more divisive, largely on account of their interpolation of electronic elements. Personally, though, I MUCH prefer those two records to the band's colder, sleepier early work. Their 5th album SABLE, fABLE brings these two styles together while also introducing a sunny optimism and saccharine sweetness they've never had before. The result may very well be the best crop of Bon Iver tracks yet.
I'll start this review off by saying that the album's first four songs are excellent. They include the wonderful single S P E Y S I D E that dropped last year and was released alongside the other songs that start the record off as an EP. I'm skipping a full breakdown of the songs here because I reviewed that EP last year, and you can check it out right here; just know that they're an excellent way to kick the album off.
The good singles didn't stop coming this year either. The remainder of the album begins with "Short Story" which dips your toes into the album proper with a short but beautiful little blend of the naturalistic with the subtly electronic. That leads into two singles I absolutely LOVED, starting with "Everything Is Peaceful Love." The track is a pure delight with an inviting electronic beat that eventually swells into a beautiful chorus. It's so genuinely pleasant, sounding sonically, but also has a sentiment that's almost naively optimistic and sweet, and the vocals match that perfectly. "Walk Home" was the B-side of the next single, but honestly I MUCH prefer it to the A-side. It has a pretty reserved sonic palette, but impossibly catchy vocal samples worked in throughout. A song this spacious shouldn't hit this hard and be this memorable, but Justin pulls it off.
The highlights on this record are hardly limited to the singles; in fact, most of the record is made up of highlights. "From" is a lovely song built around the pleading notion of Justin trying to revitalize a fading relationship. The sentiment goes hand-in-hand with what might be the poppiest Bon Iver song to date, but the sugary instrumental slots perfectly into his world. "I'll Be There" is a deep cut that grabbed me instantly with its vocal manipulation and group harmonies. I'm also obsessed with the bass on the song. It's so warm and inviting and brings the entire track together around this equally mesmerizing synth line. Later on the album, there's also "There's A Rhythm" which is stunningly beautiful as Justin speaks harmony into the universe with his lyrics and then pays it off with, well, the harmonies. It's one of the most patient songs here and yet I find myself utterly captivated with its simplicity.
Even when Justin is splitting the burden with other vocalists, the songs mostly sound great. "Day One" begins quickly with lively piano and chopped-up vocal samples that never go away. Eventually, Dijon and Flock Of Dimes join in, and when the three are all harmonizing, it's delightful and perfectly in line with the song's sentiment. Unfortunately, this is where we'll talk about the only song on the record I don't really care for, which is the single "If I Could Only Wait." The song features Danielle Haim who is by far my least favorite vocal guest on the album which is a shame because I'm normally a fan of hers. The ugly vocal manipulation on the songs transition follows the guitar lines in a really garish way and the song as a whole just feels like a huge step down in songwriting.
Despite that slip-up, SABLE, fABLE is a truly excellent collection of songs. Not only does it have a rugged beauty that will appease earlier Bon Iver fans, but it also continues to indulge in the kind of playful electronic manipulation that made newer fans like me fall in love with Justin's work. In addition to that tightrope walk, the album also pitches a far sunnier and more optimistic set of sentiments than any prior Bon Iver record and every single one of them feels earnest and earned. What results is a piece of can't miss indie folk complete with everything you've ever loved about Bon Iver, and plenty more. 8.5/10
For more great indie check out my review of Panda Bear's Sinister Grift
