Influential indie band Bon Iver are set to release their fourth studio album i, i a follow- up from their latest record 22, A Million, which was released back in 2016. This project is set to be released on August 30th via Jagjaguwar Records, and is set to host a multitude of features including James Blake, Aaron Dessner, Bruce Hornsby, and Velvet Negroni, among others.
In addition to this upcoming album release, the band has released two new singles “Faith” and “Jelmore” which both feature Buddy Ross, Francis Starlite and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus with Bryce Dessner. Both tracks continue off a similar indietronica motif that was present on the group’s last album 22, A Million.
“Faith,” features keys, a snare drum along with a synthesizer reminiscent of a heart beat (similar to “Say You Will,” of Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak.”) Lyrically, the track deals with dark imagery with a worker in a coal mine, who also appears to be struggling with addiction (I’m tokin off dope), as they wish to reach their mother.
Jelmore is entirely synthesizer based,and holds sounds that are reminiscent of a flute, without any solid backing percussion throughout the track and some saxophone at the end. Vernon’s voice croons over the track, as it talks about an apocalyptic nightmare filled with gas masks that will cause the “all to be gone by the night.”
“[i, i]feels very much like the most adult record, the most complete. It feels like when you get through all this life, when the sun starts to set, and what happens is you start gaining perspective,” Justin Vernon, the band’s frontman explained in a press release.” And then you can put that perspective into more honest, generous work.”
Vernon also explained that the title hosts multiple meanings, and that it is meant to be a unique experience for each listener. For the recording of the album Vernon ventured toward April Base in Wisconsin and finished the recording at Sonic Ranch in Texas.
“[i, i]can mean whatever it means to you or me. It can mean deciphering and bolstering one’s identity,” he further elaborated. “It can be how important the self is and how unimportant the self is, how we’re all connected.”
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