The album “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” by artist Bon Iver came out on June 21, 2011. Along with his other music, this album focuses on the indie folk genre. Recommended to me by my boyfriend, I listened to it for the first time a few weeks ago, and instantly loved it.
Each song sounds similar, but in a great way. They all come together to make one cohesive album that one can listen to from start to finish without feeling like any song is out of the norm. Personally, I love albums that sound like that, and I think this one does it perfectly.
My favorite song is the eighth track, “Calgary.” I adore the sound of this one, and it stands out from the rest in terms of how much I enjoy it. When I first heard the album, I knew that was my favorite the moment it came on. The meaning of this song is hard for me to interpret just by reading the lyrics alone, which I typically do not enjoy when analyzing songs. However, I think the lyrics go along with the sound very well, and the way Bon Iver sings the words makes it so much better.
Another one I love is the fourth track, “Towers.” The sound of this song is very unique, and I think it has the perfect spring weather and coming-of-age vibe. The second half of it is even better, with a brighter and uplifting tone. The lyrics are amazing, including phrases like “In the swampy August dawn. What a mischief you would bring, young darling. When the onus is not all your own,” and showcase Bon Iver’s ability to write very moving music. Although it is a little over three minutes long, I wish it was longer, because it does not feel like it goes on for enough time.
My third favorite song is the second track, “Minnesota, WI.” The beginning of this song grabbed my attention and the vocals are amazing. This one encompasses the folk sound that this album is based upon, especially with the use of classic folk instruments. The image Bon Iver creates through his lyrics is wonderful, and goes perfectly with the rest of the album.
Overall, “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” makes me feel like I am sitting in the mountains and watching sunlight come through the trees on a spring day. All of the songs are so atmospheric, and the tone they set is beautiful. I highly suggest listening to the album on a record player, as I did when I heard it for the first time. It is a great album and an entire experience when heard all the way through.