Bon Iver - “For Emma, forever ago” (2008)

Welcome to my first review, I have no doubt I’ll be the only person actually seeing this but oh well! I’ll start with an album that I have only recently started to thoroughly delve into. After many years have flown by since I was exposed to this body of work, with the obvious song of “skinny love” being its most famous attraction. After multiple listens, this album opens itself up to me, like how a person letting their guard down in a conversation about an uncomfortable subject would. It becomes apparent that his work is a raw and timid response to memories rather forgotten, but has no choice but to face them to move forward. With songs such as the opening “Flume” being my personal favourite. Due to the literal relatability of being “the only one” of his mother in the first line, which establishes a sense of vulnerability from the offset, which is slowly carried by the strum of his guitar. The intimacy of him and only him creates and underlying sadness and lack of hope, of that once was found but is now lost and the sense that no one will be there in aid. However as the album draws to its conclusion In “re:stacks”, a subtle flow of optimism is picked up due to the realisation of the near closure of this pain. Aswell as the slight sense of giving into the feeling of fate and relaxation that he will never truly be alone because nothing that he does is his choice, but is rather already patched out for him. “Your love will be safe with me”, the last line of the album, enhances what was established earlier, in the sense of him being alone will truly affect him as a person, but maybe for the better, as things, such as love, and happiness will never turn into complacency.

Overall this is a very delicate album, that is executed very strongly and has a strong relatability to its subjects that isn’t done in a compromising way. I’d happily give this album an 8/10 and would definitely listen again.