Dear Justin Vernon, Never Stop

Bon Iver, the acoustic, rustic Wisconsin band led by Justin Vernon, famous for “Skinny Love” and that one song you thought you heard on the TV show “Chuck” once, is one of my favorite artists. Bon Iver is comprised of Vernon along with Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan. Even the least inclined Indie fans can find pleasure in listening to Bon Iver’s music. It is easy to comprehend why Bon Iver has such universal appeal; his flawless voice and ability to transcend multiple octaves paired with his band’s mastery of a wide variety of instruments allow the band to create meaningful, appealing, powerful music. Even if you strip the songs of their lyrics you will still appreciate the beauty in the instrumentals. Add the words back in, and you become consumed with the awe of Justin Vernon’s writing.

Bon Iver has produced two studio albums, For Emma: Forever Ago and the recent Bon Iver. Avid fans of the first album received a slight shock upon listening to Bon Iver for the first time. The second album vividly differs from its previous, a transformation that unsettled the fan base. For Emma: Forever Ago maintained an acoustic overtone throughout the album, occasionally employing different uses of vocals but sustaining an overall similar style. Bon Iver, contrarily, fluctuates in genre and provides much more depth to their original work. While tracks such as “Holocene” and “Calgary” fit into the previous mold, “Towers, Minnesota WI, Hinnom TX and Beth/Rest” most certainly do not. An electric guitar (a sharper, stronger sound than Bon Iver listeners are accustomed to) is prevalent in many of the songs, straying away from the mellow hum of For Emma. Critics instantly attacked “Beth/Rest,” the album’s last track, for its obvious 80’s influence and stark stylistic departure from their tone, which I agree with.

However, while most people were disappointed in the album, I embraced it with gratitude. It is just as stunning as its predecessor in sound quality, and even more inspiring in its lyricism. Each song is titled after a geographic location, all referring to historic places in Vernon’s life. This provides a much more personal connection than did his first album, and in my opinion only added to its appeal. While it is evident that their style is changing, Bon Iver still remains one of the most talented groups of musicians in the business today, and I cannot wait for what they produce next. Which brings me back to my initial plea: I beg of you Justin, do not stop making music.

There’s little point in me picking out the best songs, as they are all fantastic, but:

“Perth, Towers, Hinnom TX, and Wash.”

**Attention: If at any time in your life you arrive at a moment when you feel content, or satisfied, or pleased, and want to reflect on that unshakable buzz of euphoria that remains after true moments of happiness please take a few minutes to sit and listen to this song; allow yourself to be consumed with the amber light that all but perpetually radiates from it, and simply enjoy good music.