Sable, Fable

''Sable, Fable'' (stylized as ''SABLE, fABLE'') is the fifth studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver, released on April 11, 2025, via Jagjaguwar. The album is a continuation of the '' Sable'' EP (2024), which is included as a separate disc. Marking the band's first album in nearly six years since '' I, I'' (2019), it features guest appearances from Dijon, Flock of Dimes, and Danielle Haim, with additional contributions from Kacy Hill, Jacob Collier and Mk.gee, among others.

Produced by Justin Vernon and Jim-E Stack, it is musically split between Bon Iver's predominantly folk-leaning output showcased on ''Sable'' and the contemporary R&B, pop and soul-leaning ''Fable''. Its lyrics primarily concern newfound love. The album received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with critics noting its brighter soundscapes and Vernon's more straightforward approach to songwriting.

Background and recording

Justin Vernon co-produced the album with Jim-E Stack, who had previously worked with Bon Iver on the 2020 non-album singles, "PDLIF" and "AUATC".

The album was primarily recorded at Vernon's April Base studio in Wisconsin after it had been inactive for years as it underwent renovation. The "conceptual genesis" for the album was on February 22, 2022, when Stack arrived at the studio with Danielle Haim, whose vocals are featured on "I'll Be There" and "If Only I Could Wait". The album's announcement billed it as "Bon Iver's next chapter: the epilogue" and described it as a "love story set to lush, radiant pop music".

Release and promotion

''Sable, Fable'' was officially announced on February 11, 2025. The first single "Everything Is Peaceful Love" was released on February 14, 2025, alongside a music video directed by filmmaker John Wilson. "If Only I Could Wait" and "Walk Home" were released as singles simultaneously on March 14, 2025.

In promotion of the album, the band announced collaborations with 31 brands, including Rough Trade East and Todd Snyder, all of which were only available on release day. A "state fair" album release party took place on April 12, a day after the album's release, at the Terasaki Budokan in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Multiple listening events, dubbed "Fable Spaces", were also organized on April 9 at certain locations around the world.

Critical reception

''Sable, Fable'' received acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 83, based on 24 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".

Track listing

All tracks are produced by Justin Vernon and Jim-E Stack and additionally produced by Asher Weisberg and Ryan Olson, except where listed.

Notes
*"..." is only present as a separate track on digital editions. Physical editions bundle it with "Things Behind Things Behind Things" for a combined length of 3:33.
*On vinyl, "Awards Season" ends with a droning noise in the locked groove, which would normally transition into "Short Story".
* signifies an additional producer
* signifies an initial producer
*"Awards Season" contains a sample of "Miles Away", written and performed by Phil Cook featuring Amelia Meath.

Personnel

''Sable''

Bon Iver
* Justin Vernon – vocals, guitar, bass, engineering, mixing, drums (1, 2), keyboards (4)
* Michael Lewis – piano, organ, saxophone (4)

Additional musicians
* Greg Leisz – guitar (1, 2, 4)
* Ben Lester – guitar (1, 2)
* Trever Hagen – flute, trumpet (1, 2)
* Rob Moose – viola (3)
* Eli Teplin – synthesizer (4)
* Blake Morgan – vocals (4)
* Carter Faith – vocals (4)

Technical
* Ian Gold – engineering
* Kyle Parker Smith – additional engineering
* Asher Weisberg – additional engineering, assistance
* BJ Burton – engineering (4)
* Javier Martinez Cruces – engineering (4)
* Tofer Brown – recording (4)
* Heba Kadry – mastering

''Fable''

Bon Iver
* Justin Vernon – vocals (all), bass (1–6, 8), guitar (1, 2, 4, 5, 7–9), synthesizer (1, 3), keyboards (2, 5, 6, 9), samples (3, 7), Wurlitzer (4, 8), drums (5, 6), percussion (6, 8)
* Jenn Wasner – vocals (1, 3, 4, 8), synthesizer (2, 3), group improvisation (9)
* Sean Carey – vocals (1, 8), brushes (6), slab (7), drums, keyboards (8), group improvisation (9)
* Michael Lewis – piano, horns (6), slab (7), saxophone (7, 8), group improvisation (9)
* Andrew Fitzpatrick – group improvisation (9)
* Matt McCaughan – group improvisation (9)

Additional musicians

* Jim-E Stack – drums (1–4, 6, 7), samples (3, 6, 7), programming (5), piano (9)
* Eli Teplin – piano (1, 3, 4, 6, 8), keyboards (4, 6, 8), slab (7)
* Rob Moose – violin, viola (1–3, 7, 8), arrangements (1, 2, 3)
* Blake Morgan – vocals (1, 6)
* Alan Good Parker – guitar (1, 6)
* Rahm Silverglade – synthesizer (1)
* Kacy Hill – vocals (1)
* Asher Weisberg – granular synthesis (2), wrangling (6)
* Greg Leisz – guitar (2, 8)
* Ben Lester – guitar (2)
* BJ Burton – drums (2)
* Samuel Tsang – piano, synthesizer, programming (4)
* Dijon – vocals (4)
* Cory Henry – guitar (4)
* MonoNeon – guitar (4, 6)
* Alaina Rose Brown – vocals (5, 6, 8)
* Denise Stoudmire – vocals (5, 6, 8)
* Joshua Brown – vocals (5, 6, 8)
* Jacob Collier – vocals (5)
* Michael Gordon – guitar (5), piano, organ (6)
* Danielle Haim – vocals (6, 7)
* Brian F. Joseph – drums (8)
* Chris Messina – group improvisation (9)

Technical
* Justin Vernon – engineering
* Ian Gold – engineering
* Rob Moose – engineering (1, 2, 7, 8)
* BJ Burton – engineering (2)
* Javier Martinez Cruces – engineering (4)
* Vic Steffens – engineering (5, 6, 8)
* Brian F. Joseph – initial production and engineering (8)
* Asher Weisberg – additional engineering, assistance
* Joe Richmond – additional engineering
* David Wrench – mixing (1, 6–9)
* Keiron Beardmore – mixing (2–4)
* Matt Wolach – mixing (2–4)
* Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (2–4)
* Shawn Everett – mixing (5)
* Heba Kadry – mastering

Visual
* Justin Vernon – art direction
* Miles Johnson – art direction
* Ruben Nusz – art direction

Charts

References

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2025 albums
Bon Iver albums
Jagjaguwar albums
Albums produced by Justin Vernon
Albums produced by Jim-E Stack