Bon Iver, the cherished indie rock ensemble helmed by Justin Vernon, has made a triumphant return with the release of "SABLE, fABLE," their long-awaited album after a six-year hiatus, via Jagjaguwar on Friday. The band first teased fans with the announcement of "SABLE, fABLE" in February, preceding the album with the enchanting singles "Everything is Peaceful Love," "If Only I Could Wait," and the mesmerizing "Walk Home."
Following in the footsteps of their 2019 Grammy-nominated album "I, I," which garnered nods for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album, with its lead single "Hey, Ma" also being recognized in the Record of the Year category, Bon Iver has continued to make waves despite their apparent hiatus. Since "I, I," Bon Iver's collaborative magic has been felt on Taylor Swift's "Folklore" with the hit single "Exile" and Charli XCX's remixed "Brat," featured on "I Think About it All the Time" on Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat.
Produced in collaboration with Jim-E Stack, the new album boasts collaborations with talents such as Danielle Haim, Dijon, and Flock of Dimes. Worth noting is the redundant mention that repeats the production credit and featuring artists, adding an unintended emphasis but not altering the narrative.
In a recent sit-down for Spotify’s "Countdown To" series, Vernon engaged in a fascinating conversation with Lil Yachty, who lauded him as "one of the best musicians, creatives, artists, and vocalists" in the industry. Yachty expressed his surprise at the album's uniqueness, stating, "It's different than what I thought I was going to hear." Vernon, ever the philosophical artist, shared his thoughts on reception, saying, "I'm okay if people don't immediately grasp it or never do. It's alright if they don't like it, but I felt it was truthful and needed to express these positive sentiments. They had to come out."
With the album now available, Vernon is celebrating with a release party in Los Angeles this weekend, complete with a three-team basketball tournament where he will personally take to the court, adding a touch of athletic excitement to the musical festivities.
