BON IVER - Sable, Fable

Bon Iver's three-song collection SABLE, was a prologue mired
in darkness, a controlled burn clearing the way for new
possibilities. fABLE is the book that follows. Where SABLE,
was a work of solitude, fABLE is an outstretched hand.
Radiant, ornate pop music gleams around Vernon's voice as he
focuses on a new and beautiful era.
On every song, his eyes are locked with one specific person. It's
love, which means there's an intense clarity, focus, and honesty
within fABLE. It's a portrait of a man flooded and overwhelmed
by that first meeting ("Everything Is Peaceful Love"). There's a
tableau defined by sex and irrepressible desire ("Walk
Home"). This is someone filled with light and purpose seeing
an entire future right in front of him: a partner, new memories,
maybe a family.
There's something undeniably healing about infatuation.
Cleaving to someone else can feel like light pouring in from a
door that's suddenly swung wide. But there's a reason SABLE, is
of a piece with fABLE; the shadow still rears its head in lighter
times. Even when you've reached a new chapter, you'll still find
yourself back in your own foundational muck. A fable isn't a
fairy tale. There's good stuff: unbridled joy and trips to Spain.
But fables aren't hinged on happy endings; they're here to instill
a lesson.
As the album winds to a close, he acknowledges the need for
patience and a commitment to put in the work. There's a
selfless rhythm required when you're enmeshing yourself with
another person. The song-and by extension the entire album
-is a pledge. He's ready to find that pace.

Vinyl release of Bon Iver - Sable, Fable. Released through JAGJAGUWAR and available on 2LP.