Indie folk band Bon Iver doesn’t really make “happy” music.
The band’s debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, convinced me of this with its tales of isolation and heartbreak. Maybe it was the group’s feature on Taylor Swift’s “exile,” with frontman Justin Vernon’s cold and broken vocals. It certainly didn’t help that “Re: Stacks” soundtracked the gut-wrenching season four finale of House, M.D.
Yet, “Short Story,” the opener to the “fABLE” side of Bon Iver’s new album, SABLE, fABLE, rejects everything I thought I knew about the band. Its swelling, cinematic instrumental inspires hope and a feeling of finally reaching the surface after drowning. Vernon sings of elation and change, rejecting any cold or empty feelings.
“Sun in my eyes (It gets brighter) / ‘Til you can no longer see (And you’re not lonely),” Vernon sings. “And you are no longer growing (To face up) / That January ain’t the whole world.”
Bon Iver’s fifth album, SABLE, fABLE, is a continuation of its 2024 EP, SABLE, and doubles down on the band’s chameleon-like, ever-changing musical style. This time, the color of choice is R&B-inspired pop. Though bizarre for a folk band, Bon Iver manages to find its footing despite sacrificing signature strengths along the way.
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The band’s folk style on previous songs such as “Holocene” evoke the sprawling countryside, but “Everything is Peaceful Love” sounds like a day at the beach. Its lyrics, seeing Vernon helplessly but blissfully in love, perfectly complement the relaxing atmosphere. While surreal coming from a depressing band, it’s fun and campy.
Songs such as “Day One” expand the R&B influence, adding a soulful touch. Vernon’s weary vocals mesh surprisingly well with the production, shedding his indie folk skin to become a heartstruck lover begging for a second chance. It’s passionate and harmonious, sending listeners into a trippy haze and making it an easy contender as an album highlight.
Although these songs sound great, they lack the stark intimacy that made Bon Iver so compelling in the first place. I hoped for a moment with a bare, serene instrumental and Vernon’s soft falsetto, found all over albums such as For Emma, Forever Ago. While songs such as “Short Story” and “Au Revoir” left traces of these gorgeous passages, there was no concrete moment on SABLE, fABLE.
SABLE, fABLE further falters lyrically. For a band known for vivid imagery and abstract metaphors, the songs felt straightforward.
But, songs such as “I’ll Be There” prove these criticisms are minor gripes. Vernon’s voice shines its brightest on the album, drawing listeners in with its smooth suave. While it may seem strange on paper to compare Vernon to contemporary R&B artists such as Daniel Caesar and Thundercat, he fits right into the crowd with this relaxed, late-night sleeper hit.
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“There’s A Rhythmn” closes the album out on one final call to action — get out and see the world. Through some allusions to For Emma, Forever Ago, Vernon walks away from his isolation and depression, hoping to “reclaim” the rhythm of life. While most of the album’s lyrics aren’t noteworthy, Vernon manages to sneak in some poignant lines, making for a satisfying, moving closer.
“There are miles and miles of tape / You can watch it, it’s been saved,” Vernon sings. “There’s a rhythmn to reclaim / Get tall and walk away.”
Bon Iver have yet to prove it can adequately adapt to this new direction, but there’s something to be said for releasing such a sweet album in these trying times. I embrace it with open arms, even if it’s not the band’s best effort.
