MOG Editorial Review

It would have been foolish for Justin Vernon to try to replicate the intimate genius his debut as Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, and he decided to move in a different, refreshing direction for his sophomore record. In the time between the two albums, Vernon spent time creating experimental, atmospheric rock with Volcano Choir, '80s-inspired soft-rock with Gayngs, and of course hip-hop with Kanye West, and elements of all three projects come into play here. Smoth jazz horns and soft guitars highlight "Calgary" and "Beth / Rest," while his love of less conventional melodies helps create standout "Hinnom, TX," and auto-tune makes cameo appearances throughout the record. Despite these flairs, though, Vernon and his distinct vocals still manage to feel intimate even as everything surrounding them expand, showing that he has more range than any of us imagined when he and his acoustic guitar first arrived on the scene.