Bon Iver Reemerges with Bold, Soulful New Album ‘SABLE, fABLE’
With SABLE, fABLE, Justin Vernon delivers his most radiant and surprising work in years—an album that splits the difference between introspective winter haze and soulful spring awakening. Released April 11, 2025 via Jagjaguwar, this new chapter finds Bon Iver reconnecting with his singer-songwriter roots while boldly venturing into uncharted sonic territory.
Originally introduced through last year’s SABLE, EP—three dusky, emotionally dense tracks—SABLE, fABLE expands the project into a full 12-song journey. The result is a two-part opus that begins in solitude and ends in celebration. Where SABLE, was somber and insular, fABLE bursts open with color, rhythm, and unexpected grooves.
Vernon’s signature layered vocals and cryptic poetry remain, but they’re now interwoven with brighter textures and bolder arrangements. Songs like “Everything Is Peaceful Love” shimmer with funk-inflected energy, while “Walk Home” drapes aching vulnerability in warm, analog synths and steady percussion. There’s an unshakable sense of joy coursing through this album—one that feels earned, not easy.
The album’s collaborators help bring this vision to life. Jim-E Stack co-produces with a keen ear for spaciousness and pulse. Guest vocals and contributions from Danielle Haim, Dijon, and Flock of Dimes bring a communal feel to the record, without overshadowing Vernon’s singular presence.
What makes SABLE, fABLE so compelling is its emotional clarity. It’s not just a stylistic shift—it’s a release, a reckoning, and a rebirth. Vernon has always been a seeker, but here he sounds grounded, fully alive in both the darkness and the light.
This isn’t just a new Bon Iver album—it’s a vivid turning point, a soundtrack to transformation. SABLE, fABLE is a testament to what can happen when an artist stops trying to define themselves and starts letting go. The result is an album that feels like coming up for air.
Standout Tracks:
“Vanishing Point,” “Everything Is Peaceful Love,” “Walk Home,” “Dream in the Fire,” “fABLE”
Verdict:
9/10 – A soulful, genre-hopping triumph. Bon Iver is not reinventing himself—he’s finally dancing in his own skin.
