The album cover of Bon Iver’s debut album For Emma, Forever Ago is of a window drenched with water from a gloomy rain. The image is reminiscent of looking out an Ithaca window, and the music is perfect company to that misery. Justin Vernon, the man behind 9 forlorn songs for Emma, has created a record of sulky folk music for gray days.
While it is rare to ever desire to put such lonely sounds on, the third song, “Skinny Love”, may make one reconsider. Simple, full-toned acoustic guitar-strums resonate feelings of deep inner dejection and mix with Vernon’s quieted and desperate, high-pitch vocal flow to bring out the best of this reclusive folkster.
The album is just under forty minutes, and if the words depressed, disheartened, or dismal ever sound similar to the mood, this album might just be able to comfort sullen spirits.