SABLE, fABLE

SABLE, fABLE, the much-anticipated fifth studio album from Bon Iver, arrived on April 11, 2025, through Jagjaguwar—marking a return to full-length releases since 2019’s i,i. Expanding on the sonic themes of the 2024 SABLE EP, the album includes several of its tracks while introducing new material that flows seamlessly into the project’s broader vision. Clocking in at 41 minutes and 37 seconds, the record was crafted primarily at frontman Justin Vernon’s intimate April Base studio in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, setting the stage for its raw yet immersive energy.

Co-produced by Vernon and Jim-E Stack, SABLE, fABLE brings together an eclectic mix of collaborators, including Danielle Haim, Dijon, and Flock of Dimes. True to Bon Iver’s ever-evolving sound, the album intertwines indie folk roots with flourishes of R&B, gospel, and ambient textures. The result is a vivid and emotionally expansive experience—less cryptic than past works, yet just as introspective—highlighting Vernon’s willingness to explore vulnerability with bold sincerity.

The album’s rollout was as imaginative as the music itself. Bon Iver hosted a series of tranquil listening experiences along Wisconsin hiking trails, held pop-up events in art galleries and parks, and even teamed up with The New Yorker for a poetry feature. Unconventional promotions included quirky fish-themed merchandise, designer capsule collections, and a tongue-in-cheek basketball game dubbed “SABLES vs. fABLES.” A standout visual moment came with a music video directed by John Wilson, known for his offbeat HBO docuseries.

SABLE, fABLE has received praise for its blend of poetic lyricism and genre-defying sound. It’s now available across all major streaming platforms and physical formats, offering fans both new and longtime a compelling new chapter in Bon Iver’s sonic story.