Thankfully, Justin Vernon’s international reputation wasn’t sullied by his deliberate mangling of the French words for “good winter” as his choice for his nom de plume Bon Iver. Indeed, with the release of his much-touted debut For Jessica, Forever Ago, his Gothic backwoods motif somehow struck a chord with Americana enthusiasts both here and abroad, winning unusually rave reviews for a rookie artist from so far a field in the heartland. This four-song set, a prequel of sorts, maintains the wistful gaze and low-lit aura that dominated that debut, but also draws the shades back to reveal a little more light. Opening track “Blood Bank” maintains his steady strum but ups the energy level to a more enthusiastic pace. The hollow-eyed desire of “Beach Baby” falls back to a plaintive pastiche, but “Babys” slowly builds towards a semi-psychedelic crescendo. The EP ends in much the same way, ethereal harmonies weaving in and out, as if Bon Iver had consulted Brian Wilson about how to affect a cosmic shift. Recommended for those who believe ambiance is everything. (Jagjaguwar)
