After a four-year hiatus - during which Justin Vernon organized festivals, set up a record label and collaborated with rapper Astronautalis - the 35-year-old American is back as Bon Iver frontman. On this third full-fledged album received as a masterpiece, the indie folk band more or less elaborates on Beth; Rest, the ugly duckling that closed the self- in 2011. The guitar was exchanged for
… unattractive keyboard parts, and now Vernon throws a load of distorting electronics and crazy voices over it. The ugliest is 715 Creeks (oh yes, every song starts with one or more numbers), which uses the autotune effect to the maximum. In 33, “God” the diveat en 8 Circle is modern, electronic R&B. Highlight is 1000000 Million. Not only because the relatively short 22, A Million ended after that, but also because in all its baldness it is 'just' a beautiful folk song. Let's hope that this closing track is also a prelude to the next Bon Iver album. (RME)more
