Bon Iver's 2008 release For Emma, Forever Ago was made in troubled times. Supposedly, after suffering the loss of a band and girlfriend while dealing with poor personal health, singer Justin Vernon spent three months of the winter in his father's cottage, located in a remote area of Northern Wisconsin. His time spent in isolation birthed the album, a haunting nine tracks of lo-fi folk, sung with a falsetto vocal style both gripping and subtle. This year's follow up EP Blood Bank sees four songs continuing the tone of the previous release while maturing and refining the sound. Vernon is able to do what very few of his neo-folk indie rock contemporaries can accomplish: establish a strong emotional connection without ever beating you over the head with his ideas. The music and lyrics capture a personal tone much larger than the minimalist sound while allowing the listener to fill in the blanks to the songs meaning. It's a refreshing spin on a familiar vibe, and the perfect accompaniment to any dreary winter day.
