Bon Iver (studio album) by Bon Iver

Emotionally poignant, this album WILL make you nostalgic for memories you didn’t know you had. Sonically mesmerizing and orchestral in its approach, I can’t think of a single low point in its tight 40 min runtime. One of the best of the 2010s, easy.

Highlights: Holocene, Perth, Towers, Beth/Rest

We must warn fans of the debut album of Bon Iver, their second studio album entitled "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" has lost this sleek style that had made its popularity. Instead, Justin Vernon and his band go in a very different direction, with several songs with powerful and refined orchestration. In addition, the concept of the album revolves around different names of cities and the result is very interesting. Well, and how to talk about Bon Iver without mentioning the very special voice of Justin? A unique voice that adapts perfectly to the universe of the album. Finally, I say that this album is excellent to discover Bon Iver. The musical wealth of Justin Vernon deserves its success.

9/10

Best track: "Perth"

So very much his best achievement... Where "For Emma..." was top class this record hits the sky!

From Jameth 07/09/2019 01:43

More irritating, awkward vocals, courtesy of the 21st century. I was enjoying the instrumentation on the first two tracks, but things took a turn for the worse when Holocene started. I’ll never understand the fascination indie singers have with sounding like a corpse.

From micah88800 06/04/2019 02:41

What a beautiful recording. I was late in the game in discovering Bon Iver(didnt give them a solid chance until 2019) but I made up for it by playing this record on repeat for months. Its the perfect balance between quiet sentimentalism(For emma) and studio-produced experimentation(22, a million). The songs are exceptionally written and produced. Top songs for me are Perth, Holocene, Michicant, Calgary, and Beth/Rest...though it really is an album that should be swallowed whole. 10/10

From Montpejo 02/25/2019 01:33

Standouts: Perth, Holocene

Least Favorites: Lisbon, OH, Hinnom, TX

From JulianR 10/29/2018 04:40

Based on what he is doing right now, I have a feeling this album will be looked back upon as a transitional album for Vernon. Not that that is an inherently bad thing in any way. Talk Talk's "Colour of Spring" is a transitional album, and it's also one of my all time favorites. Hell, even "Rubber Soul" (Beatles) and "Bringing It Back Home" (Dylan) are transitional albums. And they're all superb. But another common thread between all these albums is that they were eventually eclipsed by more audacious, groundbreaking works that built upon the transitional nature of their previous album(s). Though many may disagree, I think that is what Bon Ever has done with 22, A Million already. And if you're not convinced yet, I think you will be.

Only getting into Bon Iver - initially through For Emma which I thought was outstanding. First couple of listens I didn't think this was reaching the same level - yeah it probably is more polished and produced and lost some of that initial Emma charm, but I've given it a few listens now and it's grown on me.

No bad tracks for me - "Perth" is a beautiful opener and "Beth/Rest" a great closer. In between we have "Holecene" through to "Hinnom, TX" all doing the business.
Looking forward to catching up on their other stuff.

From mdbaxter 02/13/2018 20:25

Really good album. Minnesota is criminally underrated in my opinion.

From Daydreamer 06/15/2017 10:12

It now feels like the weakest Bon Iver album. It's still a very good album but it doesn't have the vurnerability of the debut nor the experimentation of the third. It falls a bit short on both of those categories.