Opinion
08 Aug 19

Listening party: First impressions of Bon Iver's new album i,i

Here's a first glimpse of what Bon Iver's new album i,i sounds like. And let me say: it's every bit as good as you might expect.

Yesterday, listening parties for Bon Iver's fourth album i,i were hosted in 63 different locations all over the world, including one in Dublin's Tower Records. We were there to experience the folk genius's new record for the first time, together with other fans.

25 to 30 people were dotted about the Record store for the listening party, making for quite a relaxed atmosphere, which was fitting the calm sound of i,i. As soon as the first song started, people fell quiet, eagerly listening to what the king of indie folk has to say. Some even closed their eyes to fully get lost in the warm and fuzzy sound spectacle that is i,i.

Almost every song on i,i starts with some kind of experimental intro, including voice effects and strange noises, reminiscent of Bon Iver's last effort 22, A Million.

I,i really ties in with the direction his last album went in, but Bon Iver also returns to his roots with songs like 'Marion' and 'RABi', embracing the folkier side that is so well executed on Bon Iver and For Emma, Forever Ago.

As strange as the experimental parts and effects on i,i might seem, they never feel out of place, finding their space between soft guitar strumming and Justin Vernon's magnificent voice. Often times, the songs leave the safe ground of traditional songwriting and disappear into an atmospheric bliss with no real structure, best exemplified on the track 'Sh'Diah'. The previously released singles 'Hey, Ma' and 'U (Man Like)' are probably the most conventional songs on i,i.

Marketed as the last closing part of a circle of seasons – with 22, A Million reflecting summer, Bon Iver spring and For Emma, Forever Ago winter – i,i perfectly fits that concept, capturing the sound of autumn in every facet. It also serves as the last piece that brings together his previous three records. With i,i, Bon Iver created another masterpiece that the fans will love, just like they did at the listening party, breaking out in applause as the last note faded away.

I,i will be released on August 30.