CD reviews: Bon Iver

The third album by Justin Vernon is underscored by an irony: that by using technology to mangle and meld his voice, he has never seemed so emotionally naked.

At first listen, it might seem the rustic, introspective folk approach of 2007 breakthrough For Emma, Forever Ago is long gone, yet this fascinating trip through a landscape littered with auto-tuned vocals, snatches of samples and glitchy loops pulses with a human heart. 

Take 715-CREEK, where Vernon’s a cappella becomes a distorted, fractured plea.

From the men-from-Mars backing vocals to all the techno-soul-funk grit, there’s a weirdness here that would have had Prince applauding from on high.

• Bon Iver. 22, A Million. Jagjaguwar.

Five stars (out of five)

Single download: 33 GOD
For those who like: Kanye West meets Crooked Still

— Shane Gilchrist

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