After winter – spring. And so it is with Bon Iver’s latest release, SABLE, fABLE. This is a surprising return to more conventional lyricism and instrumentation, calling back the breakout hit For Emma, Forever Ago. Unlike that album however, the tone is decidedly more upbate and reflects the promise of spring: new beginnings, growth, simplicity.
We hear many influences: Boyz II Men, Dolly Parton, Marvin Gaye, Phil Collins, each scaffolded onto a folk indie base. It’s all nostalgia, soul, and earnestness. Themes of new love, personal growth, and seeing the world from new perspectives.
SABLE, fABLE is forcefully positive, syrupy at times sure but also tinged with the bittersweet wisdom of experience. It makes me wish I was 19 again, when life was so straight-forward and easy.
Red Wine Hangover 
Leave a comment