Bon Iver - SABLE,
After a five-year hiatus, Bon Iver has returned with Sable, a short yet significant EP that reflects on both the past and future.
These five years have been tumultuous globally, marked by a pandemic, ongoing social upheavals, and wars. It seems like Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) has been processing all of it through his music. With Sable, he’s giving us a small but meaningful glimpse into that process.
Bon Iver's music has always been characterized by its willingness to evolve. Despite having only four full-length albums over the course of more than a decade, each one marks a distinct era, full of experimentation, creative ambition and new things. From the autumnal tones of For Emma, Forever Ago to the grandeur of i,i, Vernon has continually expanded his musical horizons. Each album has been bigger, bolder, and more experimental than the last. Now, Sable offers a reflection on that journey, serving as both a conclusion to one cycle and a prelude to whatever comes next.
Sonically, Sable feels like a return to the beginning. The EP draws heavily from the raw, intimate sound of For Emma, Forever Ago, stripping back the layers of production that have defined more recent releases. We’re left with something far simpler: just Vernon’s voice, his guitar, and his words. However, simplicity in Bon Iver’s world doesn’t mean a lack of depth. Vernon, known for his lyrical craftsmanship, uses this stripped-back style to tell us exactly what he’s been going through.
The EP’s three tracks each explore themes of identity, legacy, and personal growth. Vernon grapples with his role as an artist and what it means to grow older, while also sharing a more vulnerable side of himself, openly addressing his inner turmoil and reflections on love, life, and change. There’s something really raw and personal about it, like he’s letting us in on some of his hopes and fears, but not in a heavy-handed way. I know Bon Iver’s music can be a bit on the heavy side emotionally, but Sable has this surprising sense of light and hope to it. It’s reflective and deep, sure, but there were moments where I actually found myself smiling while listening to it. That’s not something you usually expect from Bon Iver, but it’s a nice change of pace.
Highlights include all three songs, especially the closing track, Awards Season, which offers a perfect glimpse into Vernon’s mind. Here, he reflects on his artistic journey, his hopes, and perhaps even his future plans. It’s a beautifully introspective piece that lingers long after the EP has finished.
All in all, Sable feels like the perfect middle ground between what came before and what’s still to come. The title, with that little comma at the end, feels like a reminder that the story isn’t over yet—there’s more to come. And I, for one, can’t wait to see where Vernon takes us next.
8.5/10
