Bon Iver-Bon Iver

After the overwhelming success of Bon Iver's first album, For Emma, Forever Ago in 2008, Bon Iver has recently come out with a new self-titled album. For Emma, Forever Ago was one of the most acclaimed albums of recent years and was one of NPR's Top 50 albums of the decade. The story of how the lead singer, Justin Vernon, wrote the album is a legend now. After breaking up with his girlfriend, Emma, he went to his cabin in the woods of Wisconsin with just his acoustic guitar, and For Emma, Forever Ago was the astonishing product. With such heart-breaking and beautiful songs like Skinny Love and For Emma, many wondered how he could ever top or even maintain the same level on his next album. In between these two albums Bon Iver also came out with a four-song EP, titled Blood Bank. Three of these songs were classic Bon Iver, but one song, Woods, was an auto-tuned masterpiece that reminded me of Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek. When Bon Iver released their single Calgary, I knew he would be going in a more experimental and multi-layered direction, rather than the acoustic-based first album. I loved Calgary and was painfully anxious and excited for the album to come out. The album did not disappoint me, and I fell in love with it instantly. While guitars and drums make up much of the album, it is far from a simple guitar and drums rock or folk. This is where Justin Vernon's genius songwriting shows. He adds so many beautiful instruments and unique sounds, every song requires repeat listens. The best and most well-recieved albums of the year are all albums that require repeat listens and slowly unfold. Such as, Radiohead's King of Limbs, James Blake's self-titled album, Bright Eyes' The People's Key, and last year's Sufjan Steven's Age of Adz. Which was my favorite album of the year last year. Many of these bands have successfully changed their style and grown just like Bon Iver is doing on this album. Justin Vernon is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter, and this album has cemented his place as a vital member of the future of music.