2LP

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 Justin 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 theres an intense clarity, focus, and honesty within “fABLE”.

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 thats 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.