Bon Iver – Bon Iver
[4AD, 2011]
Justin Vernon is an amazing songwriter and musician with very profound and touchy music. His Bon Iver project has a sophomore self-titled release, after a successful 2007 debut “For Emma, Forever Ago.” Not so long ago Vernon surprised with collaboration with Kanye West – after which you can consider all walls between indie and mainstream shattered down forever. In a recent Pitchfork interview, he said that his songwriting has changed. “I don’t find inspiration by just sitting down with a guitar anymore. I wanted to build a sound from scratch and then use that sound to make the song.”
Bon Iver album is very touching and delicate. It can’t simply be put into the “folk” category – it’s music in all its purity. Naked melodies, Kant-esque idea of music, thing in itself. Beth / Rest sounds – both vocally and instrumentally – a bit like Peter Gabriel, very artsy. However, it’s not fair to draw any similarities with anything or anyone. Soft, relaxed and a happier than the first album. Bon Iver was written almost in the woods – in the childhood house in Wisconsin. This, too, has added to the open and simple atmosphere of the album. Bon Iver is beautiful because it doesn’t wait for explanation. Naked beauty, at times it seems less like usual songs and more like ballads narrated in melody. With richer effects, naturally – arrangements are simple, but far from primitive. The minimum of instruments for maximum effect. This is the music on its way to perfection. It demands close listening and attention. Then it will open up, like a bouquet of wine. Enjoy!
