Album Review: "Sable, Fable" - Bon Iver

Bon Iver has done it yet again with his new album "Sable, Fable." We've been given the opportunity to understand him better in this season of life, while also navigating our own lives. Bon Iver never fails to connect with his listeners and "Sable, Fable" provides even more proof of that. The album is broken up into two separate parts, the first three songs are part of "Sable" which is a reflection and unpacking of the artists time as a musician. We gain insight into the reality he had to face when the pandemic hit. We understand his process of processing, healing, and taking action for the next chapter of life. The second half of the album "Fable" is the aftermath of the processing. We get a glimpse into the excitement of pursuing a new chapter as a happy and healed individual with clarity about their future.

TRACKLIST

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THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS

S P E Y S I D E

AWARDS SEASON

Short Story

Everything Is Peaceful Love

Walk Home

Day One (feat. Dijon & Flock of Dimes)

From

I'll Be There

If Only I Could Wait (feat. Danielle Haim)

There's A Rhythmn

Au Revoir

Bon Iver is an indie-folk band founded by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. While it is the name of the band it is also Vernon's alias. Bon Iver became widely known after his debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago" in July of 2007. The album was born from a three month period in which the artist spent isolated in a cabin in Northwestern Wisconsin. One of the most unique aspects of Bon Iver aside from their music is the meaning behind the name. Bon Iver derives from the French phrase 'Bon hiver' which means good winter. Some of the awards he has won include Best New Artist and Favorite Indie Pop and Indie Rock Albums. When asked about "Sable, Fable" and the meaning behind it he elaborated saying that his body had been "Buzzing with anxiety for a dozen years." He continued on, "It was so funny to me that we had blown up so hard. It was almost like I couldn't lose, so I had all that courage. I'm gonna do a record where it starts out like metal and ends as 80's sex rock." When the pandemic hit it prompted him to ask himself hard questions, which led him to come face to face with the struggles that he had been facing, in doing so "Sable, Fable" was sparked.

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This first piece is a short twelve second introduction to the album. When it begins it pulls the listeners attention to the forefront with it's siren like sound. We know that something is about to begin and we're focused on what is going to come next. There's a small but good build up before the next song begins.

THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS

Right away we're introduced to the first song which happens to be the first part of "Sable." The song "THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS" gives us insight on feeling like change is necessary, but also being scared of change. We feel the uncertainty and the nervousness behind progressing in life. The chorus gives us a glimpse into this when it says, "There are things behind things behind things / And there are rings within rings within rings." This showcases to us as the listener, how complex different situations can be. Sometimes change is hard because there's so many moving parts. The music itself stays on the somber, slower side which also helps set the tone for the song, giving us more detail and a better understanding of the lyrics.

S P E Y S I D E

The second song serves as a mixture of reflection and present day feelings and emotions. We come to understand that Bon Iver can't go back and change the things of the past, but we also come to understand that he's still struggling with where he's at in the present. There's a depth to recognizing that mistakes in the past are unchangeable, and at the same time recognizing that there's still work to be done in order to be at peace where you're at. There's a line halfway through the song that says, "It serves to suffer make a hole in my foot / And hope you look / As I fill my book / What a waste of wood / Nothing's really happened like I thought it would." This can speak volumes to many listeners because it brings a sense of relief knowing that not everyone has it figured out. This song holds somewhat of an upbeat manner, while at the same time having those melancholic undertones that bring us back to the seriousness of the situation.

AWARDS SEASON

By the time the third song in "Sable" comes around we notice a small shift. There's a small amount of hope that can be seen in the song "AWARDS SEASON." The song remains fairly upbeat which helps set the tone of the song, but it's a slower type of upbeat which allows us to slow down and grasp the change that we see coming. The lyrics provide proof of this shift in attitude as well when it says, "In such a small time frame / You can be remade / You can live again / What was pain now's gain / A new path gets laid / And you know what is great? / Nothing stays the same." These lyrics come as a breath of fresh air, it's like seeing the light at the end of a really dark tunnel. For listeners, this is how we know better things are coming for the artist and for ourselves.

Short Story

"Short Story" introduces us to the second half of the album "Fable," which brings us the sunnier season of Bon Iver's life. Right away we're met with an enchanting upbeat vibe that allows us to prepare for the lyrics. When the lyrics are introduced to us it further proves that we've turned the corner for better days. Some of my favorite lyrics from this song say, "That January ain't the whole world / And falling's really over shown / And you're never really, really on your own." This line is so beautiful because it encourages us as listeners, January doesn't last forever and the year still goes on.

Everything Is Peaceful Love

Song two gives off a 70's vibe right away before the lyrics even begin. There's a small moment when all you want to do is bob your head along to the music. This song evaluates the possibility of things going awry, but with a positive outlook. Instead of dwelling only on the negative that could happen the artist takes time to appreciate the peace and the love that is taking place in the current moment. This is vocalized when the song says, "And damn, if I'm not climbing up a tree right now / And every little thing is love / And right with me / And how am I to know that someday you might change the road?" Uncertainty will always arise, there's always a choice to be made on how to handle it when it presents itself.

Walk Home

Now that we've been eased into the second part of the album, we're diving into deeper feelings and experiences. "Walk Home" gives us a glimpse into what it feels like to love someone deeply. This song talks a lot about freezing time and staying in the moment. There's a different vibe to this song that presents itself like soul music. Compared to the other songs we've been given this far, this one is slower and more sensual, while also still having somewhat of an upbeat tone. At the beginning of the song we're met with the longing to stay present in the moment. The lyrics say, "Can we stay inside this place? / Pull me close up to your face / Honey, I just want the taste / Gimme right away." After fighting through the tunnel and transitioning into the light, we're finding and transitioning into a place of love.

Day One (feat. Dijon & Flock of Dimes)

When the song beings we're met with a high energy, gospel-like beat that helps bleed into the lyrics, which become a message from the artist to those who may be struggling with similar feelings. It also seems to be a message to his past self. I would label "Day One" as a self-reflection. Recognizing the struggle's of the past and seeing the self-doubt, but encouraging himself and other's that not only does it get better but that this was meant to be from day one. There's encouragement that we are who we're supposed to be, and we've been that person all along. We just had to stay the course in order to get there. Some of the lyrics that reflect this feeling when it says, "But the sun's gonna go ahead and tage right up / And we don't understand what we're standing on / And we sure come in blind / With our timing / So I've culled what I can't tame / I've taken all that I can take." If we endure the hard things, eventually we'll see the good things.

From

This song provides a unique freshness to the album. If you love rom-com movies you'll love the structure and the sound of "From," The song gives off a rom-com vibe that makes it fun to listen to on repeat and it leaves you hopeful for future love. This song provides the reassurance needed in a relationship, which gives it a wholesome feeling. Bon Iver communicates this well when he says, "From now on / Don't let it trouble your mind, your mind / Just take my love in your time." There's a lovestruck feeling in the air every time the music starts, bringing that fresh feeling.

I'll Be There

This is the reassurance we need. In "I'll Be There" we find the comfort that every relationship should provide. We feel the love of a partner. What is communicated through this song should be the standard set in every relationship. This time around we get to experience the 70's hippy vibe, the groovy kind of music we all know and love. Some of my favorite lyrics from the song say, "Tell me more, or tell me nothing / Said, 'I'll be there' / I won't move." There's collective support provided to everyone through Bon Iver's lyrics and this line speaks that to us as the listener.

If Only I Could Wait (feat. Danielle Haim)

While the last song focused on reassurance for our partners or for us, this song focuses on the fear of not being ready when the other person is. By saying "If Only I Could Wait" makes it seem like the timing is off, even though you really don't want it to be. Because it feels this way you'll do whatever you can to be the person you want to be for your partner. While this may seem like a solemn topic, the song conveys it in a rather upbeat manner. There's a playfulness that tones down the serious side of the topic at hand. Toward the middle of the song it says, "I'll take the pain / If only you could wait / I ain't up at your pace yet." These lyrics paint the picture vividly for us as the listener to better understand exactly what the artist is saying.

There's A Rhythmn

As the album begins to wind down we're faced with the obstacle of trying to find a rhythm for the new season of life we're about to walk through. Which is exactly what "There's A Rhythmn" communicates to us. We come to better understand this concept through the lyrics when they say, "There's a rhythm to reclaim / Get tall and walk away / There's a rhythm / There's a rhythm." Bon Iver reiterates the rhythm that we now have to navigate and figure out as we move forward. This song is the perfect blend of melancholic and upbeat. When they mix together it balances both feelings out which helps even the overall tone of the song.

Au Revoir

This song closes out the album "Sable, Fable." While it doesn't have lyrics much like the first song that introduced the album, it still packs a powerful punch. It takes all of the tones, moods, emotions, feelings, melodies, etc. from each song and combines it into a beautiful closing piece. We're brought to this place of processing, and breaking down what we've listened to. We grapple with what it looks like to move and turn over a new leaf for ourselves.

Overall, I loved this album. Bon Iver brought a whole new level of emotion and depth to his music, which then helped me process things in my own life. By painting such vivid pictures for us as the listener, he set the tone for what grieving, growing, and moving on should look like. This album was encouraging for many different reasons, and I think it'll spark a lot of good change for many of Bon Iver's fans. I personally, want to thank him for being so open and vulnerable for everyone to see. Having an album that can not only spark a love for music, but also spark change and healing is incredible. Give "Sable, Fable" a listen, it's worth it.

Written By Destiny Rundquist

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