Bon Iver are just under a month off releasing their third album 22, A Million and the brains behind it Justin Vernon has opened up about the record during a small press conference.
Vernon invited 30 journalists to a hotel in Wisconsin to chat about the new record which he’s described as “bombastic and exciting” as Pitchfork report.
Judging by the first couple of tracks released from the album and the live debut of the record at Eaux Claires, this is set to be the most experimental and uplifting Bon Iver record yet and Vernon explained that was because he was getting bored of the “sad nature” stuff.
“I needed it to sound a little radical to feel good about putting something out in the world,” he said.
“For me, it’s not embarrassing, but the old records are of this kind of sad nature — I was healing myself through that stuff. Being sad about something is okay. And then wallowing in it, circling though the same cycles emotionally just feels boring.”
He continued that there’s still dark stuff on the album but on this one he’s, “cracking things, making things that are bombastic and exciting and also new, and mashing things together, and explosiveness and shouting more.”
Vernon also explained that he used a Stevie Nicks sample on one of the tracks we’ve heard so far 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⊠ ⊠. He used parts of a video that shows her warming up for a gig in 1981, singing Wild Heart although she requested not to be listed in the credits.
“Mostly didn’t want to get asked about working together when we didn’t work together. And I totally get that,” he said about her request not to be included.
“It’s from my favorite YouTube video of all time. It’s just her warming up in 1981 getting her hair did and singing her song “Wild Heart,” which in my opinion was never properly recorded. There’s this beautiful YouTube of her singing and someone offstage singing harmony. It’s just the best piece of music. That little bit “wild wild wild heart,” that’s that sample.”
22, A Million is out on 30th September and features the previously heard 33 “God”, 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⊠ ⊠ and 22 (OVER S∞∞N).
Watch: Bon Iver – 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⊠ ⊠
