Bon Iver
I,i
[Jagjaguwar]
Ever since Justin Vernon first retreated to a cabin in the woods to write and record For Emma, Forever Ago in the winter of 2006, Bon Iver has been a medium through which the Wisconsin native has explored the depths of his psyche and soul through some of the most moving songwriting of the 21st century.
Bon Iver’s constant evolution can be identified by three distinct eras and their respective records – from the delicate confessional folk of Emma through the dreamy orchestration of Bon Iver, culminating in the fragmented experimental electronica of 22, A Million. On i,i,Vernon retains all of the distinct qualities, sounds and feelings of his musical output over the past decade while breaking new ground on one of the most outstanding albums of 2019.
This is Vernon at his rawest – the lyrics on i,i are more direct and simplistic than ever, taking a backseat to the instrumentation as acoustic guitars, horn sections and synths fuse together in extraordinary style.
Crucially though, Bon Iver’s greatest instrument is never lost as Vernon’s voice stays front and center, gluing these 39-minutes together seamlessly, his tortured wail remaining without doubt the most vital piece of this alternative orchestra.
Words: Andrew Lambert
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