SABLE, FABLE by Bon Iver
- Chris Collett
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Jagjaguwar Release Date: Apr 11, 2025
Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE Album Review ★★★★★ (4/5)
With SABLE, fABLE, Bon Iver delivers a dual-concept album that feels like both a progression and a return. The record is split into two thematic halves—SABLE, exploring darker emotional terrain, and fABLE, which leans into lighter, more hopeful tones. The title itself hints at paradox, ambiguity, and storytelling, and that’s exactly what Justin Vernon offers: a sonic journey that embraces emotional conflict, technical innovation, and genre-bending experimentation.
The SABLE side of the album is steeped in introspection and shadowy nuance. Tracks like “Things Behind Things Behind Things” and “SPEYSIDE” carry the weight of loss and change, backed by sparse arrangements and Vernon's falsetto—echoes of his For Emma roots. This half leans heavily on texture and tone, favoring subtle melodic structures and fragmented beats that swirl with anxiety and uncertainty. Critics have praised its emotional honesty and maturity, even as some listeners may find the minimalism a challenging entry point.
Conversely, the fABLE half shifts into lighter territory, both thematically and sonically. “Day One,” featuring Dijon and Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak, bursts with warmth and romantic wonder. While some critics noted the synthetic polish—largely shaped by producer Jim-E Stack—feels less earthy than earlier Bon Iver albums, it brings a futuristic sheen that fits the album’s duality. There's a clear contrast between the two sides, and that tension gives the record its heartbeat.
Collaborations throughout add texture without overshadowing Vernon’s vision. Danielle Haim’s feature on “If Only I Could Wait” brings a soulful counterbalance, blending seamlessly into Bon Iver’s glitchy, atmospheric world. The production throughout the album draws from unexpected places—Fleetwood Mac-inspired harmonies, Hornsby-esque piano, and avant-electronic flourishes—yet it never loses its cohesion. This is an album unafraid to drift, twist, and rebuild itself mid-song.
In the end, SABLE, fABLE stands as one of Bon Iver’s most ambitious works—less immediate than some of his earlier efforts, but rich in emotional and sonic detail. It may not convert new listeners at first blush, but for fans and deep listeners, it offers a layered, meditative experience that rewards repeated plays. Bon Iver remains a master of reinvention, and SABLE, fABLE proves that even after 15 years, he's still finding new ways to speak.
Tracklist – SABLE, fABLE
Things Behind Things Behind Things
SPEYSIDE
skng.miror
allalive
naeem redux
If Only I Could Wait (feat. Danielle Haim)
Day One (feat. Dijon & Jenn Wasner)
fable/fig
LITTLE TIDES
two moons in June
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