Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon has discussed the future of his acclaimed indie project, sharing that this year’s SABLE, fABLE may very well its last album.
“I’m tapped into the emotion of music — the blue part,” Vernon explained in a new interview with The Times. “I have that in me thanks to the thousands of musicians I’ve absorbed, and they’re just in there… But I don’t know how much is left. I’ve expelled a lot of it.”
“I would be very surprised [if there was another Bon Iver album],” Vernon continued. “For the first time since I was 12, I’m not writing songs. There aren’t any in here,” he said pointing to his heart. “I have been writing since puberty and this is unfamiliar territory — but I am accepting it. It’s scary sometimes, but I’m just letting it happen …”
Related Video
SABLE, fABLE released in April of this year, marking Bon Iver’s fifth studio album. Poetically, if the record does prove to be the final full-length Bon Iver effort, the tracklist closes out with the song “Au Revoir.” The music video for “Day One” also jokingly portrayed Vernon retiring from his position as Bon Iver.
Recently, the album received a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Check out our review of SABLE, fABLE, which we named as one of the best albums of the year so far. You can also pick up a physical copy here.
“It felt like this might be my last go around,” the artist said later in the interview, speaking on being more present in the album’s promotion. “And it’s been a ride — 20 years almost. But it’s interesting. For my whole life I was very romantic. I thought about an awesome wedding, but the idea of one day getting married on a stage and performing my love for people is the last thing I’ll probably ever do — just because I have got all the attention I need.”
While Bon Iver may very well never come through with another album, Vernon seems content to continue collaborating with other artists — at least for now. Just last month, he featured on the new Haim song, “Tie You Down.”
For more Bon Iver, listen to Kyle Meredith’s interview with Vernon from this past April, where the artist talks about the record, working with HAIM and Taylor Swift, and more.