Bon Iver - Sable, Fable

Bon Iver's three-song collection SABLE, was a prologue mired

in darkness, a controlled burn clearing the way for new

possibilities. fABLE is the book that follows. Where SABLE,

was a work of solitude, fABLE is an outstretched hand.

Radiant, ornate pop music gleams around Vernon's voice as he

focuses on a new and beautiful era.

On every song, his eyes are locked with one specific person. It's

love, which means there's an intense clarity, focus, and honesty

within fABLE. It's a portrait of a man flooded and overwhelmed

by that first meeting ("Everything Is Peaceful Love"). There's a

tableau defined by sex and irrepressible desire ("Walk

Home"). This is someone filled with light and purpose seeing

an entire future right in front of him: a partner, new memories,

maybe a family.

There's something undeniably healing about infatuation.

Cleaving to someone else can feel like light pouring in from a

door that's suddenly swung wide. But there's a reason SABLE, is

of a piece with fABLE; the shadow still rears it's head in lighter

times. Even when you've reached a new chapter, you'll still find

yourself back in your own foundational muck. A fable isn't a

fairy tale. There's good stuff: unbridled joy and trips to Spain.

But fables aren't hinged on happy endings; they're here to instill

a lesson.

As the album winds to a close, he acknowledges the need for

patience and a commitment to put in the work. There's a

selfless rhythm required when you're enmeshing yourself with

another person. The song-and by extension the entire album

-is a pledge. He's ready to find that pace.