Bon Iver, the critically-acclaimed indie folk band led by the enigmatic Justin Vernon, is set to return with a highly-anticipated new album titled SABLE, fABLE. Scheduled for release on April 11 via Jagjaguwar, the album marks the band’s latest chapter in their ever-evolving musical journey. This release follows the October 2023 drop of a three-song EP, also named SABLE, which served as a prologue to the forthcoming full-length record. The album’s first single, “Everything Is Peaceful Love,” is slated to arrive on Valentine’s Day, February 14, accompanied by a music video directed by John Wilson, the creator of the brilliant HBO series How to with John Wilson. This single and its visual counterpart promise to set the tone for what feels like a deeply personal and emotionally charged album.
The story of SABLE, fABLE began on February 22, 2022, when producer Jim-E Stack arrived at Vernon’s April Base studio in Wisconsin, bringing with him Danielle Haim of the Haim sisters. A snowstorm forced them indoors, and it was during this time that Vernon and Haim’s voices intertwined on a duet called “If Only I Could Wait.” This track, described as a poignant reflection on the struggle to be one’s best self outside the glow of new love, became a pivotal moment in the album’s conceptual genesis. The press release for SABLE, fABLE paints a vivid picture of the album’s themes, describing it as a raw and unflinching exploration of love, healing, and the rhythms of relationships. While the album’s title might evoke the idea of a fairy tale, the press release is quick to clarify that this is no fable—instead, it’s a deeply human and unvarnished narrative.
The album was primarily recorded at April Base, Vernon’s studio in Wisconsin, which had been under renovation for years before coming back to life for this project. Produced by Vernon and Jim-E Stack, SABLE, fABLE feels like a natural progression from the EP SABLE, which served as a kind of introduction to the themes and emotions that would be fully realized on the full album. The press release describes SABLE as the prologue and fABLE as the main book, with the combined title SABLE, fABLE representing the complete story. The album is said to capture the intense clarity and honesty that come with infatuation, while also grappling with the shadows of past feelings that linger even after one has worked to move on. It’s a record about the healing power of love, but also about the patience and commitment required to sustain it.
Musically, SABLE, fABLE marks a shift from Bon Iver’s recent work. The dense, layered soundscapes that characterized albums like i,i and 22, A Million have given way to a more stripped-back and vulnerable approach. Vernon’s voice, often obscured in previous releases, is now laid bare, adding to the album’s emotional intimacy. The press release suggests that the previous four albums formed a cycle of seasons that is now complete, and SABLE, fABLE represents a new beginning. Each track on the album is said to tell a story and impart a lesson, much like the fables it takes inspiration from. These songs are not just about love but about the selfless rhythms and commitments required to navigate relationships and grow alongside another person.
The tracklist for SABLE, fABLE includes 12 songs, each with titles that hint at the album’s thematic depth. Tracks like “Everything Is Peaceful Love” and “If Only I Could Wait” (featuring Danielle Haim) seem to capture the essence of love and vulnerability, while others, like “There’s A Rhythmn” and “Au Revoir,” suggest a focus on movement, transition, and the passage of time. The album also features a collaboration with Dijon and Flock of Dimes on the track “Day One,” adding another layer of texture to the record. The tracklist itself feels carefully curated, with each song title contributing to the larger narrative of the album.
As fans eagerly await the release of SABLE, fABLE, the arrival of the first single and music video on Valentine’s Day feels like a fitting start to this new chapter in Bon Iver’s story. The album promises to be a deeply personal and emotional journey, one that explores the complexities of love, relationships, and self-growth. With its raw, unguarded sound and introspective lyrics, SABLE, fABLE has the potential to resonate deeply with listeners, offering both solace and inspiration in equal measure. For Bon Iver, this album feels like a return to form, a reminder of the band’s ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. As the release date approaches, fans are no doubt counting down the days to immerse themselves in this latest masterpiece from one of indie music’s most beloved and innovative acts.
