Bon Iver, Bon Iver: Review

It is easy for any fan of Bon Iver's music to know that Justin Vernon is not only a musical genius, but a stellar writer/lyricist. While listening to the sophomore album, Bon Iver, one can't help but notice the transformation from just a delicate weeping voice heard in Emma and Blood Bank EP to a mature artistic form.

Bon Iver ditches the T-Pain Autotune (used in woods), made famous by the sampling in Kanye West's - Monster, for deeper lyrics and hypnotizing beats. In, addition songs like Himmon, TX Vernon gives listeners a taste of a more natural form of his voice instead of the ethereal voice and sound that we all fell in love with. Although, Bon Iver, doesn't come with any heavier hitters like "For Emma" or "Skinny Love" that can easily carry an entire album, the album's full moving effect is felt when listened to from beginning to end.

Vernon's talents are hitting their stride with Bon Iver. His lyrical talents tell stories of past experience in Eua Claire and beyond, while his voice lures listeners in much like a seaman to a siren. Leaving the confines of his Wisconsin cabin for Hawaii proved to be a smart move as it created an environment that will push Bon Iver's second album past the sophomore album superstitions--as well as getting the attention of other artists, like Rick Ross. Quoted in Billboard's article "Bon Iver: The Billboard Cover Story" Ross says "He's a fucking genius . . . I'd never seen nor heard of him in my life, and I looked up, and I was in a fucking 5-by-5 room with a white guy, smoking weed . . . and his voice is like something I've never heard, and he's using words that are far from common. Within 20 minutes, I realized why Kanye had him there."'


Check out "Calgary" the first released single from "Bon Iver." An entrancing melody throughout the song allows the listener to get lost in the cryptic lyrics. I could write an entire blog post just on what I think this song is really about, but I'll let you be the the judge.


Oh and I am sorry Justin for partaking in the leaked version of the album, I promise once it is available on Itunes I will buy the real version. I can't wait to see these guys in DC August 1st!