Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE

Using last year's dour SABLE as its prologue, the first full length in six years from Justin Vernon and friends bounds blissfully into the light. There are sonic snapshots of his career to date peppered throughout, allowing the listener to bask in those warm memories, but there's never a sense that this is a static exercise in nostalgia.

The previously-released songs are Bon Iver's starkest since 2009's Blood Bank, but following the luxuriant sax of AWARDS SEASON, Short Story dives into a sunny new era with bright keys and subtle vocals from Kacy Hill. Lead single Everything Is Peaceful Love mines the same yacht-rock funk as Bon Iver, Bon Iver and Vernon's work with Gayngs, but with more joyful exuberance than either of those projects.

There's a greater sense of collaboration hitherto, with appearances and writing credits from Danielle Haim, Jenn Wasner and Mk.gee among others. And with a greater cast of contributors, there's now less obfuscation than ever. You can sense the Cheshire Cat grin bursting from the speakers on From, as Vernon expresses a desire to 'kiss you from ear to ear'; it's indicative of the forthright lyricism that infuses the album.

Sometimes the influence of others brings a feeling of dilution, reducing the unadulterated Bon Iver experience, but it's hard to begrudge the sheer delight of these songs. The sexy atmosphere of Walk Home, the reflective pedal steel of There's a Rhythm and the peaceful instrumental coda Au Revoir don't match the experimental genius of previous albums, but Vernon and co have never sounded so hopeful and free from worry.

Listen to: There's a Rhythm, THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS, From