Bon Iver - 22, A Million (Album Review)

22, A Million is the long-awaited new album from Bon Iver following a 5-year hiatus. Traditionally known as an indie folk band, their third studio album is a bold venture into the electronic realm, making heavy use of auto-tune and synthesized sounds. This new direction should not come as complete surprise, however, as their self-named Bon Iver album in 2011 had a more electronic feel than their older tracks and Woods from the Blood Bank EP in 2009 comprised purely of auto-tuned vocals. The latter was consequently sampled by Kanye West in his track Lost in the World (2010), and interestingly 22, A Million holds many similarities with West’s latest album The Life of Pablo, particularly the ethereal and religious elements. It is also evocative of James Blake’s recent track I Need a Forest Fire, which features Justin Vernon’s stirring vocals mixed with Blake’s slick electronic production.

The new album is very concise – just 10 tracks, 34 minutes total running time. Most songs are 2 or 3 minutes long, all with very obscure names. The shortest songs on the album are also the most abstract in nature, consisting of crackling, muffled electronic sounds and disjointed, eerie vocals, reminiscent of productions by Burial or Phaeleh. As soon as these shorter tracks – 22 (OVER S∞∞N), 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄ and ____45_____ – start to hit their stride, they end, seeming almost unfinished. 715 - CR∑∑KS is very similar in nature to Woods, purely auto-tuned vocals with no backing track, and it is just as effective as the former. Highlights of the album are 33 “GOD”, 29 #Strafford APTs and 8 (circle), as they seem to be the most polished and coherent tracks. Overall, the album is refreshing and different, with moments of brilliance. It has a rather melancholy and nostalgic feel, as if Bon Iver are sitting back and contemplating their journey since 2008, smiling to themselves. Many suspect that this may be their last album. Is this a final blaze of glory or a glimpse of the future? I hope it is just an exciting new beginning.

Tracklist:

1. 22 (OVER S∞∞N)

2. 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄

3. 715 - CR∑∑KS

4. 33 “GOD”

5. 29 #Strafford APTS

6. 666 ʇ

7. 21 M◊◊N WATER

8. 8 (circle)

9. ____45_____

10. 00000 Million

Available to buy now on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Bon-Iver-22-A-Million/master/1065672

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