A short but sure release from American Indie-Folk artist Bon Iver
Bon Iver (real name Justin Vernon) has been releasing music since 2007 and shows no sign whatsoever of losing any creative drive. While he releases relatively infrequently, every album feels completely different and Vernon’s growth as an artist is transparent.
The first track on the EP is THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS. An introspective ballad that explores the way that Vernon perceives himself as a “competitor” and how there’s “layers” behind the image he sees in the mirror, reflected in the vocal layering that we’ve become so used to within a Bon Iver piece. The instrumentation consists mainly of arpeggiated guitar, and synth and string pads, creating a wide but warm feeling soundscape.
The following track, S P E Y S I D E, appears to be an apology, possibly directed towards some of the artist’s former lovers. The track is much more stripped back than the previous, mainly just containing vocals and acoustic guitar. Vernon is expressing regret through lines such as “Man, I’m so sorry. I got the best of me” as he comes to terms with the responsibility he has for his past mistakes. The track is a beautiful example of the delicacy that Bon Iver can display, similar to some of the tracks we’ve seen from him in the past, especially on his debut album For Emma, Forever Ago.
The final track, AWARDS SEASON, opens with the line “I can handle way more than I can handle, so I keep reaching for the handle”, poetry that can always be expected from Vernon. What’s the handle he’s talking about? Drugs? Alcohol? Who knows. One thing that can be taken from it though is everyone has a vice for dealing with their struggles and the emotional transparency shown in this track displays the honesty the artist possesses when performing. The brass instrumental in the middle of the song allows it to build to a high, then drop out and open space for the final two minutes of the EP being just Vernon’s vocals. There’s something powerful about the rawness of his vocals alone and makes for a perfect ending to a beautiful EP.
I don’t do ratings so make your own mind up. Personally though, this is one of my favourite Bon Iver releases to date and I’d recommend anyone to go and listen to it now.