Throughout Bon Iver’s history, Justin Vernon has shifted focus frequently. From cold log cabins to digital distress, we’ve never had to worry about Vernon sitting still. But he’s never been as outwardly happy as he is on SABLE, fABLE, a jubilant mix of his brightest sounds yet. Years of working with musical minds like Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Aaron Dessner have driven Vernon down a path that’s unabashedly pop, but with the irresistible level of detail and love that makes his music soar. SABLE,fABLE gleams in a way unlike any Bon Iver music before it, using the sounds of 90’s soft rock, modern R&B and gospel music to craft a celebration of newfound joy.
It didn’t always seem like this record would be so upbeat. SABLE, was released as an EP last year, and the three full tracks within signaled a return to that cold winter cabin up in Wisconsin. They’re beautiful and sparse, allowing Vernon’s hearty voice to take center stage, yearning for love and acceptance. Listening to these songs now, though, you can find hints of the jubilance to come. “AWARDS SEASON”, a song with little more than Vernon’s pipes, suddenly brings forth a saxophone out of the blue towards its conclusion. That’s just a taste of what’s to come, as the following “Short Story” bridges the two parts with sparkling guitars, piano keys and synths out of an underrated 90’s soft rock classic. The joy to come wouldn’t be possible without these beginning struggles, even if they’re sonically inferior than what’s to come.
As soon as the SABLE, aspect of the record ends, the real rejoicing begins. “Everything Is Peaceful Love” revels in sunniness like a Bon Iver song never has, featuring a gluey chorus and synths straight from a 90’s education video. The soft rock influence is never soft, turning these vintage sounds into something that could top indie music charts. “From” positively shines with punchy percussion and plush synths. The gospel influence on “Day One” helps the song shimmy and sway, and coupled with guest vocals from Dijon & Flock of Dimes, it’s a busy composition made sound easy. These instrumentals as open as Bon Iver songs have ever sounded, never hiding behind digital distortion or layers of collage to express themselves. The sounds themselves aren’t entirely unnatural to Vernon, but the way he weaves everything together would make you think this is his usual style. It’s immaculate stuff.
The outwardness of the emotions here makes SABLE, fABLE a unique success. Vernon often works from within to find meaning, by by melding the best of his own earthy mysticism with the directness of his collaborators. “Damn if I’m not climbing up a tree right now” makes up the chorus of “Everything Is Peaceful Love”, and in years past, that could be symbolic of a cat running away from its fears. But when delivered in Vernon’s summery falsetto, there’s nothing to go around but smiles. Some of its best lyrics are its simplest. The R&B-inspired “I’ll Be There” goes: “Keep that sad shit off the phone/And get your fine as on the road”. That’s as direct as Vernon gets in affirming his commitment to this new bliss, and the Danielle Haim assist on backing vocals is a welcome wrinkle.
“If Only I Could Wait” finds the best balance of the two halves of SABLE, fABLE. Vernon and Haim duet as synths pulse and guitars twang, finding a push and pull between what was and what is. The former is necessary for the latter to emerge, and this new direction full of soft pop stylings is one Vernon wears incredible well. In a way it’s a bold choice for an artist who constantly reinvents himself to go so straightforward pop. It’s even bolder to turn these sounds into something as catchy and as memorable as the entirety of SABLE, fABLE is. After years wandering in the woods, a guy like Justin Vernon deserves a bit of happiness, and he’s kind enough here to share his joy with the rest of us.
Verdict: 8.5/10
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