Bon Iver, the acclaimed indie folk collective led by Justin Vernon, has made a much-anticipated return with the release of SABLE, fABLE, their first studio album in more than six years. The album, launched on Friday via Jagjaguwar, marks a significant moment for fans who have been awaiting new material since 2019’s critically lauded i,i.
Announced earlier this year in February, SABLE, fABLE was gradually introduced to listeners through the release of three singles: “Everything is Peaceful Love,” “If Only I Could Wait,” and “Walk Home.” The full album continues Bon Iver’s tradition of experimentation, blending electronic textures with introspective songwriting, and is once again co-produced by Jim-E Stack.
The project also features a number of collaborators, including Danielle Haim (of HAIM), genre-blending artist Dijon, and Flock of Dimes, the solo project of Jenn Wasner (also of Wye Oak). The inclusion of such artists reflects the band’s ongoing commitment to musical exploration and collaboration across stylistic boundaries.
Bon Iver’s previous album, i,i, was both a critical and commercial success, earning Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album. The standout track “Hey, Ma” was nominated for Record of the Year, further cementing Bon Iver’s place in contemporary music.
Although the band has not released a full-length project since 2019, they have remained active in the wider music landscape. Notably, Vernon contributed vocals to Taylor Swift’s 2020 hit “Exile” from her Grammy-winning album Folklore. Bon Iver also appeared on Charli XCX’s remix project Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat, featuring on the track “I Think About It All the Time.”
In the lead-up to the new release, Vernon joined rapper Lil Yachty for Spotify’s “Countdown To” interview series. During the discussion, Yachty praised Vernon as “one of the best musicians, creatives, artists, [and] vocalists” in the industry, and described the new album as “different than what I thought I was going to hear.”
Reflecting on the personal nature of the album, Vernon remarked, “I can sense it was OK with me if people didn’t immediately get it — or if they don’t ever get it. It’s OK if people don’t like something, but I just felt it was so truthful, and I needed to do it so much. I needed to get these positive things off my chest.”
To celebrate the album’s release, Vernon is hosting a launch event in Los Angeles this weekend, featuring a unique three-team basketball tournament in which he himself is set to compete — a testament to the band’s creative and unconventional spirit both on and off stage.
Bon Iver’s latest offering continues their legacy of pushing artistic boundaries while maintaining emotional sincerity — a welcome return for fans and new listeners alike.