CD review - Bon Iver: Bon Iver

Justin Vernon was up against when he started to record this eponymous second album. Its predecessor, For Emma, Forever, was a rare ten out of ten record, an album on which there were no weak links.

The level of expectation surrounding Bon Iver, therefore, is almost overwhelming. That Vernon gets from A to Z, leaving the listener satisfied and wondering whether, maybe, Bon Iver isn't the equal of For Emma, Forever, is a major achievement.

Vernon's debut was all about desolation, while this is like being warmed by an early spring.

It's a major progression, an ambitions, expansive and fearless collection of lush and delightful songs underpinned by Vernon's sublime voice and evocative guitar playing.

There are songs that are almost dreamlike, in which Vernon's transcendent music floats into the ether.

Vernon hasn't been seduced by the success of his debut and Bon Iver is the sort of sumptuous and in places opulent album that you'll return to again and again and again.

Review by Andy Richardson