Bon Iver – 22, A Million (1xLP, 1x12")

"22, A Million" means longplayer number three. Five years have passed since their last record - five years in which mastermind Justin Vernon was anything but idle.

Instead, the songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist released new albums with his bands Volcano Choir and Shouting Matches and was a guest of Kanye West and James Blake.

Now he finally presents ten Bon-Iver originals again, which, however, do not ignore his recent musical past.

With "22 (OVER S∞∞N)" and "10 d E A T h b R E a s T" there were already two samples of "22, A Million". And they make it clear that Vernon is once again breaking new musical ground with the new album, even though he touches on the electronic sound of "Bon Iver" (2011) instead of the largely acoustic folk record "For Emma, Forever Ago" (2008).

The album premiered at the Eaux Claires Music Festival in Wisconsin, which Justin Vernon himself created together with The National guitarist Aaron Dessner.

Whether the unusual tracklist of "22, A Million" is art or a hidden secret code can only be guessed so far.

A development that was to be expected with a view to the past: Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver is more keen to experiment than ever with his new album "22, A Million". His incredible talent proves him right.

"He's got the guts: the big purr of folk pop shreds his voice and songs and charges them with electronics." (Rolling Stone, 29.09.2016)

AllMusic rating: