“SABLE, fABLE” is the fifth studio album by the band Bon Iver. It was distributed by Jagjagwar and released on April 11.
Bon Iver is a prolific member of the modern music scene. A musical project led by Justin Vernon, Bon Iver has seen both commercial and critical success across the world. They focus on the human condition, trying to send understanding through their music. What’s notable about their most recent album, “SABLE, fABLE” is that it’s actually a sequel to an EP released in 2024 by the name of “SABLE.” “SABLE” focuses on themes of isolation and loneliness, so the album focuses on themes of connection and community.
Starting off, the first three songs of the album are from “SABLE.” These songs have a country-pop feel to them, carried by a gentle guitar and the excellent vocals of Vernon. These songs capture a sense of peace and calm that can rarely be found even in other songs. The next songs in the album would be the “fABLE” sections. These are grounded in the country indie-pop aesthetic, though they wax and wane towards R&B. The feeling one can get from these songs is a sense of calm. They flow very well individually and are a solid music experience. The indie feeling does them well, lending a sense of authenticity to the music. Vernon’s falsetto voice cannot be understated. The way he moves it is simply enchanting, there’s really no better way to describe it.
There are some songs in this album that stand out above the rest. In the first disk, “S P E Y S I D E” acts as a somber middle piece. With a lone guitar acting as the main instrument, the feelings of loneliness that “SABLE” is trying to convey come out in full. Moving to the second disk, “Walk Home” takes a classic, lo-fi sound and adds some country undertones to create a song that would make for a perfect slow dance. The last song worth pointing out would be the last track of the album “Au Revoir.” Working solely as an instrumental piece, “Au Revoir” brings this album to a fitting close. It’s calm, soothing and invokes ideas of a spring breeze, or some other enjoyable facet of nature.
While it is a fantastic work of music, it is unfortunately not without a few small flaws. Songs feel disjointed, not leading into one another in a natural way making the listening experience feel slightly off. Furthermore, the album does little to hook the listener. Towards the halfway point of the second disk, the sound does little to evolve or build. It loses momentum in a noticeable way, unable to keep the focus on it as it comes into the last few songs. Which is a shame, seeing as they are enjoyable pieces of music with clear talent and direction behind them.
Despite the slight lack of cohesion between songs, the album as whole is still a musical success. The sounds here blend into a soothing expense that should be listened to, preferably while sitting outside or perhaps by a campfire.
“SABLE, fABLE” is available anywhere music can be streamed.
