Type: Album
Genre(s): Indie Folk, Singer-Songwriter
From: USA, Wisconsin, Eau Claire
Release: July 8, 2007
Producer(s): Justin Vernon
This album is quite a lyrical gem! Its ability to act as a retelling of post-breakup grief, with all of the stages and candid dread that comes with it is absolutely commendable. It remains beautifully poetic, consistent, and evocative throughout — managing to paint bleak emotional pictures which are wholly relatable and saddening at times. However, although not all that bothersome, it can —at times— be resentful to a fault, I must add.
Instrumentally, on the other side, the record falls into two pitfalls: which happen to be the two weakest songs on the album — in my opinion. Furthermore, unfortunately, these are also the two longest songs on the record, which deeply hurts the listening experience. Other than that, this album is able to perfectly match the sullen energy of the lyrics with the sonic side of things, even if these two lulls prevent it from being a greater project.
•High 7•
Highlights: Flume, Lump Sum, For Emma.
Lowlifes: Blindsided, re: stacks.
Track-by-track review
Flume is a charmingly composed, produced and performed indie folk cut. It’s a wonderfully poetic, heartfelt, and hurt break-up song with pessimistic overtones — beautiful ones at that. Additionally, the mix is a tad distant and cold albeit in an evocative way.
High 8.
Lump Sum has great guitar work and a really immersive mix. It feels comparably warmer after “Flume” and feels like a hug due to the calming repetitiveness of the alluring acoustic guitar arrangement. Lyrically, it deals with Justin Vernon’s post-breakup isolation and his insecurity towards the relationship’s end. Additionally, he feels as if he must deal with great adversity all at once, almost as if this event led to a grim *lump sum* of emotions.
Mid-High 8.
Skinny Love is an all-out cut that really doesn’t hold back on exposing every toxic trait that led to the downfall of the relationship. It does so along a straightforward instrumentation and performance that is mixed and produced beautifully as well. What’s more, the hook is quite moving and truly memorable.
Mid 8.
The Wolves (Act I and II): the charm of this track lies in the attractive, multi-layered mixing of voices, along with the very interesting use of auto-tune which adds an unexpected flavour to this intimate cut. However, although this gimmick is quite an applaudable one, it doesn’t distract from how the composition is still slightly humdrum at its core. Lyrically, it’s an extremely hurt, pained, and heartfelt showcase of emotions. At times, Justin Vernon’s pain felt a tad too vindictive in lines like “my pain will mark you”, however.
Low 8.
Blindsided: Here, there is a narration where Justin Vernon attempts to break into a building as a result of grief. This, of course, is all a rather pretty allegory to how he isolated himself after his breakup. He also brings up how he might have done so to test if anyone would “rush out” to get him. On the instrumental side of things, this cut is slightly disappointing. As a whole, it’s somewhat uninteresting, but if there’s one thing that’s most worth bringing up it’s the melodies: which really do leave a bit to be desired. Of course, the warm feeling that it evokes (due to the production and performance) is enough to still consider it an enjoyable cut.
Mid-High 6.
Creature Fear is a change in lyrical direction which actually begins to meddle with the acceptance of the breakup; as well as with an urging to grow for and because of oneself. It has a great structure as well, enjoyably dividing the calmer verses from the immensely immersive (and contrasting) choruses. These explosions of emotion are fantastic, and most definitely the highlight of the cut.
Low-Mid 8.
Team is an entirely likeable instrumental continuation that never disappoints in letting the last track sink in. However, despite being a loveable point in a full listen of the record, the way in which the songs separated is horribly done, leaving a noticeable cut-off when they are played on their own — although this doesn’t really affect the experience on a full listen of the record.
Low 8.
For Emma takes everything that was aesthetically superior in the first half of the record and brings it back splendidly: with an enveloping mix of a gorgeous acoustic guitar tone and a wholly endearing brass accompaniment. Lyrically, it shows a lot of personality in a poetic and anecdotal-like retelling of both parties’ perspectives at the moment of the breakup.
Mid-High 8.
re: stacks explores the pain of digging and working on oneself, as well as the investment of time that it implies. It also alludes to the overwhelmingly painful (and even taunting) nature of post-breakup depression. This is represented by the *stacks*, which allude to the size of the burden left behind, as well as to all of the love that was given and proved to be of no use. Moreover, the lyrics also mention racks — conceivably torture racks; alternatively, just the racks on which to leave the *stacks* of memories to rest. Audibly, the vocal performance on the chorus is a neatly arranged and syncopated melody; otherwise, it’s another cut that stays on the weaker side of this album’s tracklist. This is because of the fundamentally uninteresting composition that lies behind a gorgeous mix, tonal warmth and sonic calmness; mostly achieved through intimate vocals, quality audio work on the guitar, and complementing production.
High 6.