Bon Iver is undeniably a legend in many ways. Their 2007 debut, For Emma, Forever Ago, has been linked to the resurgence of acoustic folk in the mainstream. Despite serving as the inspiration for subsequent decades of songwriters who have ventured into the woods to record their albums, lead musician Justin Vernon has always been keen to mess with people’s expectations of him.
Vernon’s four previous full-length records have seen him experiment with electronic elements and more complex production. 22, A Million (2017) was seen as a notable departure from their signature sound, but praised for its innovation. After a six-year gap since his last release in 2019, Vernon has returned with SABLE, fABLE — an album designed to shed the mystique surrounding this lonely outdoorsman character his project has taken on. The first four tracks were originally released as the SABLE EP back in October 2024. The album serves as a story told in two parts, with a re-release of SABLE and nine new fABLE tracks.
The last track of the EP portion, “AWARDS SEASON” still remains one of the strongest lyrically. Vernon trades his renowned falsetto style for low melodic phrases sung over a simple drone. He shares raw reflections on the passage of time saying,
“You had no answers
So we laid back to backs and
Clasped treasure with our hands and
Held all fate.”
After an emotional outro filled with horn instrumentals, the tracklist numbers go from four back to one — and we get hit with some of the album’s most ethereal moments.
The name “Bon Iver” is meant to be an approximate French translation of good winter, yet fABLE provides listeners a long awaited snow thaw. “Short Story” sounds like light beams descending from the heavens. Casual listeners may miss the significance of this quietly sung line: “January ain’t the whole world,” which calls back to Vernon escaping the shackles of his desolate winter persona. We see this freedom on songs like “Day One” featuring Dijon and Flock of Dimes, taking elements of gospel and the punchy production styles of Vernon’s alternative contemporaries. Dijon, who has been cited as a primary inspiration for the artistic direction of SABLE, fABLE, brings a soulful edge to the track with his raspy vocals.
While some of the pre-released singles from the fABLE portion failed to stand out as intended, “If Only I Could Wait,” featuring Danielle Haim of the band HAIM, is Bon Iver at their most anthemic. The two vocalists layer contrasting melodies in the bridge, building a lush and uplifting atmosphere. While audiences have come to anticipate sonic switch-ups from Vernon, this single showed that SABLE, fABLE would be refreshing in its spiritual tone.
Vernon shared in an interview with Spotify that he had contemplated this being his last release, but wasn’t eager to commit to any finality. Regardless, it would not be surprising if the last two songs on this album were composed as eulogies to his enduring career. The penultimate track, “There’s a Rhythm,” uses dreamy keyboard melodies to create a peaceful and timeless sound. Light chorus vocals echo messages back to Vernon as the song fades into the ambient piano instrumental “Au Revoir” (note the French motif).
The final sparse, twinkling keys give the listener only two minutes for decades of memories to flash before their eyes. A generation of fans grew up listening to Bon Iver, and the band holds an important place in their lives. Vernon has made sure that if this is the last album he ever puts out, everything will have come full circle.
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