Vernon to provide listeners with a bon été

After three years of anticipation, Bon Iver is finally gracing us with his sophomore self-titled album.

Justin Vernon has tantalized his fans with a few teasers since “For Emma, Forever Ago,” was released, well, forever ago. But these morsels have merely been palate cleansers between meals.
 
The album is slated for release June 21, a date that cannot come soon enough for salivating fans. Recorded in another unorthodox environment, “For Emma” was birthed in a solitary Wisconsin cabin.
 
This new album found its roots in a veterinary clinic renovated by Vernon and his brother.

A change in scenario typically indicates a movement in sound, and this record follows suit. According to jagjaguwar.com, Vernon has amassed a vaster collection of instruments and musicians on it. Aside from vintage Bon Iver players like classically trained drummer Sean Carey listen for new layers of saxophone, courtesy of Colin Stenson, and horns by C.J. Camerieri. Prepare to swab your ears with various string and horn noises never before experienced on Iver tracks.

The tale of Vernon’s progression as a musician has always been intriguing. From cuts with Kanye West to St. Vincent, to sing along performances and the reception of Pitchfork’s 29th Best Album of the 2000’s award, Bon Iver’s assured gold-standard will supply good summer tunes.
It won’t even matter if it still sounds like icy January on the album.