Recently released Bon Iver album titled “SABLE, fABLE,” is a chilling, yet comfortable, series of thirteen Indie/Alternative songs with touches of R&B.
The first song on the album is titled “…” and it is a 12 second song. The 12 second rhythm only consists of a high-pitched ring throughout the whole song. This begins feelings of nostalgia and it feels almost unsettling.
Moreover, the album seems to be telling a story. Song two, “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS” is about someone feeling useless and guilty. It has lyrics like, “I am afraid of changing” and, “How am I supposed to do this now?” This supports how the character in the song is feeling unlovable and stuck.
Song three, “S P E Y S I D E” contains lyrics that are like a response to the person in song two. Some lyrical responses are, “I know now that I can’t make good, how I wish I could” and, “As you live and breathe, I really know now what had hold on me.” These lyrics represent someone that was in a relationship with the person in song two. It seems like their relationship did not work out because of the weariness and isolation that the character in song two was feeling. Song three’s character is singing about their reminiscent feelings about their relationship, and how they wish they could have helped and changed things.
The rest of the songs go on to tell a story about the relationship and the special feelings that were shared. As the album progresses, it reveals the hurt that the characters are feeling. Song 12, “There’s A Rhythm” is about the love that is decaying and leaving feelings of confusion.
Finally, the last song, “Au Revoir” is another instrumental piece. Au Revoir means “Goodbye, until we meet again,” in French.
Personally, the story in the album sticks out to me because it seems that the first three songs are the remaining thoughts about the character’s ended relationship; almost like an epilogue about the relationship you are being led up to listen to. Songs four through 12 are the story about their relationship and how it began and then wore out. The last song is the end of their relationship, hence, the title, “Au Revoir.”
Overall, I rate this album an 8/10. At first, it started off very differently than usual Bon Iver songs and seemed a little off-putting. As I went deeper into the album and recognized the story-telling component, it became a very nice listen and was pretty entertaining. I liked how you can decide the interpretation of the lyrics and song order, as well as how it portrays a love story.
