Bon Iver Returns With A New Track “Everything Is Peaceful Love”
Written by cupor1 on February 23, 2025
Review by Johnathan Smith
Bon Iver, the musical project led by American singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, has recently returned with a new single titled “Everything Is Peaceful Love,” marking the first release from the artist’s upcoming album, SABLE, fABLE. The track was released on all platforms on Feb. 14, 2025.
Bon Iver has had an incredible journey over the years. Their debut 2007 album, For Emma, Forever Ago, was recorded while isolated in a Wisconsin cabin, yet still managed to become an instant alternative-indie classic. The follow-up album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, received even more critical acclaim and won two Grammy Awards in 2012, solidifying Vernon’s place as one of the most unique voices in modern music.
Many have also become familiar with Bon Iver through Vernon’s frequent collaborations with musician Kanye West. Vernon and West have worked together multiple times, most famously on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, where Bon Iver’s influence can be heard all over tracks like “Lost in the World” and “Monster.” He also contributed to West’s 2013 project Yeezus, adding his signature ethereal vocals to songs like “Hold My Liquor.” These collaborations helped introduce Bon Iver’s sound to a much wider audience and showcased Vernon’s versatility as an artist.
Compared to those previous works, “Everything Is Peaceful Love” marks a unique evolution in Bon Iver’s sound, presenting a more optimistic and relaxed tone. A blend of electronic percussion, synthesizers, and rich vocal harmonies illuminate the track throughout. In a press release, Vernon expressed that this track encapsulates the essence of the new album, which aims to portray happiness and joy. He stated, “I knew what kind of record I wanted to make the day we made ‘Everything Is Peaceful Love.’ I always knew that would be the feeling I wanted to share first.”
SABLE, fABLE, set to release on April 11, will be Bon Iver’s first full-length album since 2019’s i,i. It has already been revealed as a 12-track project featuring artists such as Dijon, Flock of Dimes and Danielle Haim. Notably, the album incorporates tracks from the 2024 EP SABLE, including “Things Behind Things Behind Things,” “S P E Y S I D E” and “Awards Season.”
The accompanying music video was directed by John Wilson, the creator of HBO’s How To with John Wilson. The video follows a non-linear storyline featuring various found-footage-style clips that align seamlessly with the song’s uplifting and joyful theme. Wilson’s distinctive documentary style captures candid moments of people smiling uncontrollably, effectively conveying the song’s message of pervasive love and optimism.
With the album dropping in just a couple of months, it’s an exciting time to be a Bon Iver fan. Whether you’ve been following him since the For Emma days or you first heard him on a Kanye track, “Everything Is Peaceful Love” proves that Justin Vernon is still pushing boundaries and making music that resonates emotionally. As this new Bon Iver rollout continues we will hopefully get an even wider glimps of the world and story Vernon seeks to tell in SABLE, fABLE.
Image from Pitchfork
