Bon Iver fans have much to celebrate today as the band releases their new EP SABLE, marking their first record in over five years. Alongside the EP’s release, Bon Iver has shared two visually striking music videos for the tracks “Things Behind Things Behind Things” and “Awards Season.” These two tracks, along with the third, “S P E Y S I D E,” reflect deeply personal moments in Justin Vernon’s journey of healing and reflection, each piece unpacking complex emotions that have defined his recent years.
The song “Things Behind Things Behind Things” was written during a period of intense uncertainty for Justin Vernon in 2020. It captures the restlessness and anxiety he felt as he questioned his future as an artist. Surrounded by sparse, ethereal layers of synthesizers and pedal steel, the song unfolds like a slow exhale, balancing the tension between vulnerability and strength. Lyrically, “Things Behind Things Behind Things” delves into the fear of change. Vernon confronts the unsettling nature of shifting identities and uncertain futures, grappling with how life can seem to unravel even as it moves forward.
The music video for “Things Behind Things Behind Things,” directed by Erinn Springer, is a stark, black-and-white visual that perfectly mirrors the introspective and stripped-down nature of the song. The video is a minimalist yet evocative journey, centering around the image of Justin Vernon as he sings, with the camera placed in the passenger seat of a moving car.
Watch and listen to Bon Iver’s “Things Behind Things Behind Things” here:
“Awards Season,” written just this year while Vernon was walking around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, is a more introspective track that reflects on significant life changes. It embodies how far Vernon has come, both personally and artistically. The song is filled with soft guitars and folk-like vocals. Vernon’s lyrics are poetic, weaving together images of personal growth, love, and transformation. The line “I’m a sable, and honey, us the fable” captures the essence of the song, blending vulnerability with hope for the future.
The video for “Awards Season” continues the black and white cinematic feel established in “Things Behind Things Behind Things.” Directed by Springer, it features Vernon singing and flashes, juxtaposed with close-up shots of nature—rippling water, towering trees, and soft sunlight breaking through clouds. These serene visuals mirror the track’s reflective mood, making it a fitting accompaniment to Vernon’s emotional lyrics.
Watch and listen to Bon Iver’s “Awards Season” here:
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