Bon Iver

I remember first hearing about Bon Iver right at the beginning of the year when songs from his album for emma, forever ago started appearing around the place. Fast forward to Mid Januray and Justin Vernon will be bringing his three-piece band to Australia for the first time, on the back of a wildly popular mid year release here, and with a new EP in the works.

As probably the pick of the Sydney Festival lineup next year, this guy brings to City Recital Hall a collection of wistful, fragile and heartbreakingly beautifull songs. Way back in January, songs like flume and skinny love emerged in a musical climate which, in many quarters, had begun seriously testing the limits of artistic integrity. Electronic music in particular was at this time riding a strong wave of overexsposure, and in the months to come the resurgence in popular circles of a warmer, more organic sound deservedly occured- spearheaded by peacefull maestros such as Justin Vernon and his Bon Iver band mates.

Slide guitar, horn, and song sheet in hand, this new project of the French-speaking Wisconsonite came at a point in the musical cycle which often brings important new voices to the fore. Rarely however do they leave such a lasting impression , and for this reason it is no surprise to see the album appearing already on many end-of -year best of lists. Recorded over three months in an isolated midwinter cabin, this is as pristine a sound as you will find right now. For when the bangers just dont cut it...

Skinny Love (from the late 2007 album For Emma, Forever Ago) [Buy]