Bon Iver: An Artist of a Generation
An Artist of a Generation
Carter Ross
In 2006, singer and songwriter Justin Vernon retreated from his previous life to a snowy cabin in Wisconsin to recuperate from a series of heartbreaks and illnesses. In 2007, comprised of songs written and produced while in his isolation, Vernon released the independent/alternative album For Emma, Forever Ago under the newly created band Bon Iver. Since this eventful winter, Vernon and Bon Iver have skyrocketed into popularity, releasing two new albums and an EP, all to critical acclaim, and amassing nearly a billion total streams on Spotify alone. I first learned of Bon Iver when they released their third studio album, 22, A Million, in 2016, and ever since then, they have been my all time favourite band. It is due to this that I believe that Bon Iver is one of, if not the, best bands of this current generation. While it is true that music is subjective and ultimately up to the listener's taste, there are many music critics and musicians of note that also make this claim.
Despite the band’s progression from heartbreaking indie music to beautifully cryptic and experimental electronic music, the band has continued to be incredibly well accepted throughout the years. All three of the band’s full album releases have over 86% on Metacritic and have been reviewed very favourably by multiple respectable music reviewers such as Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. After the release of Bon Iver, the band’s second and self-titled album, the music reviewing website Pitchfork gave the album a 9.5 out of 10, calling the album “flawless right up to its conclusion”. Although some fans did not appreciate the change in sound that came with the release of 22, A Million, the album was still critically acclaimed, with Pitchfork giving it a 9 out of 10 and Independent giving it a 10 out of 10, calling it an “astonishing record.” This appreciation for Bon Iver and their music extends even to The Recording Academy, who awarded Bon Iver with the awards for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammys in 2012.
Appreciation for the band is not limited simply to music reviewers however, as in 2010 the massively popular and recently controversial rapper and artist Kanye West reached out to Vernon in hopes of a collaboration. Later that year, Kanye released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which included several tracks that featured Vernon, such as “Lost in the World”, which starts with a sample from Bon Iver’s song “Woods” that works as a backbone for the song. This partnership between Kanye and Vernon continued into Kanye’s future records, with Vernon being credited on even his latest records Ye and Kids See Ghosts. Over Vernon and Kanye’s partnership the two have influenced each other’s work in very noticeable ways, such as Bon Iver’s shift from indie to experimental electronic, and Kanye’s increasing stake in the aesthetic of his music. Kanye has also expressed great praise for Vernon, even going on to call Vernon his “favourite living artist” in an interview in 2016, which is notable coming from a man like Kanye West, who is known for being notoriously arrogant and egotistical.
Vernon and Bon Iver have had far more influence in the music industry than just their collaboration with Kanye and their own music, however. Vernon has collaborated with many other notable artists, such as Francis and the Lights on “Friends”, or Eminem on “Fall”. Vernon has also expanded on his own, starting several side projects and bands over the years. These side projects include the bands Volcano Choir, which was formed in 2005 with several members from the band Collections of Colonies of Bees, and Big Red Machine, which includes Aaron Dessner of The National and released the album Big Red Machine in 2018.
Although music is art and art is subjective, it is clear that Bon Iver and their music are loved by many, including many popular music critics and artists. Their impact on music has not just been as a result of their own work, but also their collaboration with artists such as Kanye West, who is himself very influential in the music industry. However, in the end, the best way to explain why Bon Iver is one of the greatest artists of this generation is to listen to the music itself.
Great read. I can feel the passion you share towards the artist throughout the article. I knew of Bon Iver, but not to the extent. I enjoyed how you incorporated the reflection of other artists in regards to Vernon, in addition, with credited awards. I will now have to check out some more of their music. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteCheers