Often when an artist has an unexpected hit record the achievement knocks them for six and subsequent releases are bland attempts at replication of a successful formula. Thankfully Justin Vernon has pulled off the trick of progression, retaining the often gobsmacking beauty of his earlier songs while subtley augmenting their austerity with a broader pallet of sounds. With his unmistakable falsetto always to the fore, Vernon engenders a quiet evolution with standouts ‘Holocene’ and ‘Michicant’ differing from debut For Emma, Forever Ago with thoughtful additions to the hushed instrumentation. Even when veering into soft rock territory on closer ‘Beth/Rest’, this is clearly a triumphant return.
[etRating value=“ 4.5”]
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