There’s no doubt, having heard the new Bon Iver album (self-titled) that it’ll be a divisive album for many who fell in love with the burning embered heart of For Emma, Forever Ago. A markedly different album, the intervening three years has seen Justin Vernon do backing vocals for Kanye, release the Blood Bank EP, perform with his old band DeYarmond Edison, participate in an ’80s soft rock side project Gayngs and make an ambient band album with Volcano Choir. It’s the latter two projects that influence Bon Iver. It’s a band record, a meditative soothing journey rather than a catharsis. ‘Calgary’ is indicative of the album’s floating mournful tempo and a good preparatory listen for what’s to come. The LP is released through 4AD on June 17th.
Bon Iver plays Grand Canal Theatre on October 20th. Tickets are €34 plus fees on sale this Friday.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
