In 2019, Bon Iver released their acclaimed album i,i and embarked on a captivating arena tour. However, the outbreak of the pandemic led to the release of two singles, “PDLIF” and “AUATC,” referred to as Bon Iver Season Five. Fans anticipated a quick follow-up to i,i, but the new music soon became scarce, aside from Justin Vernon’s collaborations on Taylor Swift’s tracks that year. In 2022, Vernon and Ethan Gruska released a single titled “So Unimportant,” but after that, there was a period of silence.
Now, as we approach the end of 2024, a new Bon Iver release is on the horizon. It may not be the much-anticipated full album, but fans are eager for any new material, especially given the excellence of previous EPs like 2009’s Blood Bank. The forthcoming EP, SABLE, — the comma is intentional — is described as a “reset and reintroduction” for the band. The official announcement indicates it aims to return to the project’s original essence. Accompanying visuals from a new music video hint at a shift back to Bon Iver’s earlier style.
Vernon composed the three tracks for SABLE, over the years 2020 to 2023 in various locations, including Key West and Minneapolis. He produced the songs with Jim-E Stack at his studio, April Base, in Wisconsin. The EP’s focus is on vocals and guitar, with Rob Moose providing viola for the lead single “S P E Y S I D E,” which was released today alongside a music video by Erinn Springer. Notably, the songs were born from a difficult period in Vernon’s life, during which he contemplated stepping away from music due to personal struggles and feelings of guilt, a theme reflected in “S P E Y S I D E.”
If you appreciate Bon Iver’s minimalistic acoustic sound, you’re in for a treat with this release. Be sure to watch the music video for “S P E Y S I D E” below.
TRACKLIST:
01 “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS”
02 “S P E Y S I D E”
03 “AWARDS SEASON”
SABLE, is set for release on October 18 via Jagjaguwar. You can pre-order it here.
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