SABLE, is the latest EP from American indie folk band Bon Iver, fronted by Justin Vernon. It was released on October 18, 2024, under the Jagjaguwar label, the EP marks a return to the minimalist, raw sound that characterized Vernon’s earlier works, such as For Emma, Forever Ago (2007) and Blood Bank (2009). Produced by Vernon himself alongside Jim-E Stack, SABLE is intimate, deeply reflective, and composed of three core tracks: “Things Behind Things Behind Things,” “Speyside,” and “Awards Season.” These tracks capture a spectrum of emotions, from acceptance and introspection to hints of hope. Vernon’s decision to release an EP rather than a full album stems from what he describes as “personal necessity,” noting the three songs as a “triptych” that represents distinct yet interconnected reflections on anxiety, guilt, and optimism.
The EP, recorded at Vernon’s April Base studio in Wisconsin, embodies a stripped-back approach, presenting a more exposed and vulnerable side of his music. This stylistic choice, Vernon explains, is less about revisiting his past sound and more about rediscovering a rawness he feels in himself today. He likens SABLE to “a second skin,” where he discards the layers of rich instrumentation that have defined Bon Iver’s recent albums, opting instead for a sound that brings listeners closer to the music’s core. This simplicity allows listeners to appreciate the intricate layers of his lyrics and instrumentation without the choir-like atmospheres and elaborate arrangements that have marked previous albums. Vernon wanted SABLE to feel like a moment of closeness, noting his intent to bring the music “as close to the human ear as possible.”
The title SABLE itself, a term evoking a near-black shade, holds deep meaning for Vernon, reflecting what he describes as a “darkness” or “mourning” phase, and perhaps even a cyclical return to sorrow that he’s explored throughout his career. The term previously appeared in lyrics from the Bon Iver, Bon Iver (2011) sessions, but here, it takes on a new significance as a meditation on the balance between heartache and healing. Vernon reflects on the cycle of sorrow he has often found himself in, both in his music and life, questioning whether he is “pressing the bruise” or simply navigating the inevitable phases of grief and healing. He grapples with whether this repetition of sorrow is a personal cycle or a universal experience, making the title SABLE a fitting encapsulation of the themes explored in the EP.
Each track contributes to the EP’s distinct introspective atmosphere. “Speyside,” inspired by the Speyside region in Scotland known for its single malt whisky, reflects Vernon’s introspections during a solitary stay in Wisconsin’s wilderness in early 2021. The song delves into feelings of guilt and self-reckoning, capturing moments where Vernon recalls personal regrets and missed connections. Another track, “Things Behind Things Behind Things,” was first shared in 2020 during a virtual performance with Bernie Sanders, offering fans an early glimpse into the EP’s reflective nature.
The EP’s musical components are equally intimate. Alongside Vernon and Stack, long-time collaborators like saxophonist Michael Lewis, viola player Rob Moose, and pedal steel legend Greg Leisz bring a warmth and familiarity to SABLE. Vernon calls the pedal steel “the most beautiful musical instrument humans have constructed,” and describes his reunion with Leisz as deeply meaningful, drawing on personal memories tied to the instrument.
SABLE exemplifies Vernon’s maturity as a songwriter and his ability to distill complex emotions into resonant melodies and poetic lyrics. Critic Brady Brickner-Wood of Pitchfork praised the EP as “a moving suite of songs about loneliness and disappointment,” underlining Vernon’s talent for crafting music that, though rooted in personal introspection, resonates universally.