Sable, Fable

Bon Iver's three-song collection SABLE, was a prologue miredin darkness, a controlled burn clearing the way for newpossibilities. fABLE is the book that follows. Where SABLE,was a work of solitude, fABLE is an outstretched hand.Radiant, ornate pop music gleams around Vernon's voice as hefocuses on a new and beautiful era.On every song, his eyes are locked with one specific person. It'slove, which means there's an intense clarity, focus, and honestywithin fABLE. It's a portrait of a man flooded and overwhelmedby that first meeting ("Everything Is Peaceful Love"). There's atableau defined by sex and irrepressible desire ("WalkHome"). This is someone filled with light and purpose seeingan entire future right in front of him: a partner, new memories,maybe a family.There's something undeniably healing about infatuation.Cleaving to someone else can feel like light pouring in from adoor that's suddenly swung wide. But there's a reason SABLE, isof a piece with fABLE; the shadow still rears it's head in lightertimes. Even when you've reached a new chapter, you'll still findyourself back in your own foundational muck. A fable isn't afairy tale. There's good stuff: unbridled joy and trips to Spain.But fables aren't hinged on happy endings; they're here to instilla lesson.As the album winds to a close, he acknowledges the need forpatience and a commitment to put in the work. There's aselfless rhythm required when you're enmeshing yourself withanother person. The song-and by extension the entire album-is a pledge. He's ready to find that pace.