When making your debut album almost kills you

The journey Vernon took in making For Emma, Forever Ago has become something of an indie-folk legend: he recorded the album at his father's hunting cabin after retreating there to escape adulthood and deal with his heartbreak and three months later, he emerged with an album’s worth of audio.
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0:00 Intro
0:52 Chapter One: Escape
2:30 Chapter Two: Embark
4:40 Chapter Three: Excavate
7:21 Chapter Four: Emergence
8:28 Conclusion
"Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago is a critically acclaimed album that showcases the raw and emotional storytelling of Justin Vernon. The album, which was recorded in a remote cabin in Wisconsin, has a distinct folk sound that is both haunting and beautiful. With hit songs like "Skinny Love" and "Creature Fear," For Emma, Forever Ago has become a staple in the indie music scene. The album's themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery have resonated with listeners worldwide and solidified Bon Iver's place in the music industry. With its powerful lyrics and emotive instrumentals, For Emma, Forever Ago is a must-listen for fans of indie, folk, and alternative music."
#middle8 #BonIver #videoessay
Bon Iver: When making your debut album almost kills you
When making your debut record almost kills you
When you make a groundbreaking record in the woods

[@_suj]

A truly beautiful album. Every listen feels brand new and every time a tear is brought to my eye. "Everyone has their own Emma", how true. Thank you Justin for Emma, and thank you Middle8 for doing it justice. More people deserve this album

[@Indyawillis85]

Sometimes we have a literal "Emma". She sucks lol

[@Rocinante808]

Luv his debut LP tho he keeps getting even better imo his latest surpasses 4Emma

[@johnwrath3612]

Yup. Ironically my Emma is actually named Emma.

[@michelesalluce4018]

This will forever be his masterpiece. Really hard to find other albums with the same thirst, the same search for what's distinctively your innermost feeling. He came very close to revealing his inner world, which is impossible given the human condition. Yet he got very close here.

[@rosskeller9661]

Completely agree. I appreciate all his projects, but for Emma is probably the most raw emotion I’ve ever heard before. Dude basically transformed every emotion he was feeling over a 6 month period into sound

[@nathanoconnell6348]

Give blood sport (the room below) by sleep token a try. If it calls to you, enjoy the journey

[@BearFattfilm]

In terms of what you’re talking about, I’d say Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In the Airplane over the Sea” has to be one of the greatest records ever made. There are on some tracks backing musicians, but it’s mostly Jeff Magnum with an acoustic guitar and his voice, and he made with simple open chords one of the best records of all time.

[@38mitchh]

what are u fckin saying🤣🤣🤣😭

[@N0SENS]

I reccomend you Parachutes by coldplay, they have different vibes, but with that album i have the same feeling if like it is timelessly good.

[@loscrows1836]

This album feels like a memory I don't want to remember but a feeling that's always there. Beautiful album.

[@trentrushmusic]

What a beautiful way to put how we're all feeling.

[@johnmclean8414]

Probably the most poignant and beautiful insight I have ever read on KZbin

[@conchagoncalves]

this is exactly it. i’ve always gotten this very specific feeling about this album and was never able to put it into words. this is exactly it. thank u

[@kathleenvaughan3709]

To be completely alone is to discover yourself. Most people can’t handle it.

[@underated17]

Really? But do you mean completely alone for some period of time like months? Or do you mean alone in your room a few hours a day?

[@skimbonk]

i moved across the world on my own, i know how it feels alone. it’s hard to handle but i’ve got this

[@hindsy3472]

It’s crazy how deep his speaking voice is

[@delcim]

yes! first time i heard i was like "wth?!", but is because his speaking voice is so low that he can do the low pitched falsetto notes with his unique texture

[@MobbareKurtz]

The analogy in Re:stacks of the black crow as his depression that is dangling the keys to happiness gets me every time.

[@fadrian98]

he even fakes a toss

[@deadpanfish]

"Bert Bacharach smoking crack in the back of the mall." lyrics

[@ginsengstrip2002]

@@fadrian98real

[@MarcosdArc]

i hold firm to my conviction that this is the greatest expression of emotion in the form of an album

[@YouTubeAIbot]

idk, Twin Fantasy by Car Seat Headrest is pretty damn close

[@someoneithink5118]

And funeral

[@michaelhays]

I'll throw in Carrie & Lowell. All absolute gems

[@mejsn]

afut is pretty emotional

[@macbooklegend9193]

A crow looked at me

[@giovannivenditti4978]

Thanks to Re:Stacks and Bon Iver MySpace back then in 2008 I met online a german girl that was living far far away and we wrote for several months, before meeting for the first time in Rome. We are married now and have one wonderful little princess. On our first rings in the inside we made someone engrave Re:Stacks. Enough said.

[@jacktaylor7264]

Named my daughter after this album. It will forever hold a special place in my heart and I hope it does in hers too.

[@sharkin_larkin1276]

Not cool bro

[@douglasmorrison]

@@sharkin_larkin1276??

[@Fractisdnb]

Damn, I think I should name my kid 22 then 😂

[@hankfrance4559]

Would love even more folk discussions (especially Fleet Foxes or Sufjan). This channel never disappoints.

[@MatauReviews]

Or Father John Misty

[@rosezy755]

True, a Fleet Foxes video would be pretty cool. He's already done one on Sufjan

[@anarchodandyist]

Deffo more of these indeed! 😊

[@Jewel45615]

cannot agree more, great choices

[@gabewoundedhead3856]

This album may have, emotionally, cost him a lot, but his music has been there for me in my darkest moments. I’m forever grateful for his work

[@presidenteantonioconte1363]

It cost him a lot, but I think it saved him. Not because of the fame and success, I’m sure he doesn’t love it; but because it allowed him to get rid of those feelings, by painting them and making a still of something that, when the painting was finished, was simply that: a picture of the past

[@sim7477]

For me his best work has to be his self titled. It's just so gorgeous , mature and personal

[@PBandJames1]

Hard agree. Vernon’s even better with accompaniment.

[@LilyKing03]

Agreed. I adore it.

[@1SanderB]

22 A Million has got to be my favourite, although on my first listen I didn't actually like it. I had the same with i,i. For Emma and the self-titled album are absolutely amazing too

[@joee8278]

22 a million for me but all 4 albums are superb

[@MyriadDubstep]

Ya I think it’s 22 for me as well.. I didn’t fully understand it on first listen but something kept bringing me back to it and it’s become one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@jevinday]

I remember when Beyonce and Jay Z had their baby they did a skit on SNL where people went to visit the baby. Bon Iver was nominated for a Grammy for Bon Iver, Bon Iver and the public was fascinated with him because of how unique he is. Justin Timberlake plays Justin Vernon and comes to visit them and the baby. He is going to play the baby a song and says something like "I fashioned this guitar out of a canoe when I was stranded in the forest in Wisconsin". It was hilarious. I got to see Bon Iver in Tucson AZ in 2012, one of the most amazing concerts I've ever been to.

[@haunter27]

“White Butler loves it!”

[@jevinday]

@@haunter27 somewhere baby it falls asleep, it falls asleep Bon Iver out himself to sleep!

[@CorbCorbin]

Well it certainly would help the baby sleep.

[@elliebeee11]

I saw him there too! Amazing show. It’s engrained in my mind.

[@jevinday]

@@elliebeee11 yeah it was great. I went to Tucson because the Phoenix show was sold out and I'm actually really glad I did because it was a really small crowd, I loved it. The stage design was cool too with all the lights around him

[@KittysMisadventures]

Bon Iver, Damien Rice and Ray Lamontagne bring out emotions in a level like nobody else could for me. If I’m feeling pensive I turn to them.

[@theradiolion3559]

This record kind of saved my life. As someone who lives pretty far north, the winter is always tough as you see the sun maybe for around 5-6 hours everyday. Together with the cold it's hard to feel alive when everything around you is dead. During the winter 2020-2021 it was the worst. Lockdowns were in full swing and I was stuck in my room for the better part of 6 months. I met almost no one during this time and I spent all my time walking around at night or sitting by the computer. That's when I came across Re:stacks. Somehow, I don't remember but i was gripped by the songs rawness and emotion that I listened to the whole album. It kept me company and reading about Justins isolation story felt like I wasn't alone. Together with Phoebe Bridgers 'Stranger In The Alps' I made it through thanks to the music. Everytime I hear songs off those albums i remember the cold and the dark. It's a hard memory but it made the spring and summer feel more alive than ever.

[@_scabs6669]

Beautiful story fellow, we're making it through together my brother

[@augustinadriancristea5873]

A good, growing experience, bro! Perhaps save some money and come down South, if you can? The North is hard, I remember reading Jack London - Love of Life and other short stories, his tales about Klondike, the Yukon and Alaska are amazing! Still as fresh as when published. Big warm hugs ;)

[@theradiolion3559]

@@ghost_mall Thank you haha, I will keep you updated

[@madeleinep.828]

Music was pretty much the only thing that kept me sane during quarantine too, and continues to be very very important to me now during this stage in my life where I also feel very isolated and am getting over heartbreak. This album means more to me than ever now.

[@BrofUJu]

​@@madeleinep.828 Wild. I have a similar memory, except I was alone in England, mostly stuck in a room, and like Vernon just spent a lot of time being sad. Whole album and Re Stacks were incredible on cold, rainy, quiet nights

[@trippiebutters]

“the experience helped him put to rest the memory of his lost love” damn that hit hard

[@funL1F3]

it’s wild to think. there are so many people with music they made on their computers that are probably masterpieces that no one will ever hear!

[@paulcargill]

No idea how you got this down to 10 minutes. You could do 2 hours on this album. It’s a masterpiece.

[@melissajbol5447]

I was in college when this album came out and I obsessively listened to it on repeat in my 3 hour drawing labs for a major I didn't even like. I was so depressed and creatively confused. This album allowed me to realize that the point of art is to be soulful, personal, and intuitive. Bon Iver showed me what it means to live in the present with all the darkness and to not be ashamed of being defeated by life. He helped me through not feeling alone and I owe him so much for that.

[@zeitgeistx5239]

Lmao reminds me of art lab for architecture and drawing fruits for hours.

[@carlitapita]

As sad and melancholy as this record is, it really does capture that feeling of home and like sitting beside a fire on a cold day. Growing up in northwestern Wisconsin very close to where Justin did and where the album was recorded, this record and his entire discography, really, makes me appreciate where I’m from.

[@timeenbyvictorious]

Dude, i just wanna say that you are one of my favourite Music revievers/analyists on the platform. I'd say the only people on your level are Mic The Snare, Volksgiest, and Polyphonic.

[@snowblind8572]

deep cuts also!

[@timeenbyvictorious]

@@snowblind8572 he's good as well but i don't enjoy him as much as the others. I still watch him tho!

[@JakeAllen3]

No fantano? 😂

[@user-ki1wq6pt9u]

Ah yes Fantano, on the tier above 💀

[@timeenbyvictorious]

@@user-ki1wq6pt9u i don't like fantano bcs personally i dont like music critics that give a number rating, but its fine if you like him

[@Spookee]

there's such a lack of high production videos about bon iver so excited to watch this :)

[@Dan-hn1lx]

This album helped me deal with my dads death and I'm forever grateful for it.

[@jll5568]

sorry for your loss, Dan

[@vitaletonga-haumono2870]

Bon Iver’s music, especially Justin’s creativity never disappoints. The folkiness of For Emma, Forever Ago to the electronic elements in i,i. This king never fails to deliver such ethereal music. I can’t wait to see him live soon

[@firelordOzai3]

This album will be in my heart forever. It’s my Emma

[@FjKGKjF]

■ For Emma, forever ago ■ The best folk album i ever experienced : my favorite songs are "creatures fear" followed by "Team".

[@moderateswag69]

Ugh I'm not in the right emotional space for this I miss her 😭😭

[@Middle8]

Stay strong king

[@Indyawillis85]

It's okay to not be all right. It'll get easier. Chin up bud.

[@danielremian]

hope you're doin well bruh

[@jacman3918]

Same. Worst part is her name is Emma

[@ArmLegLegArmHead47]

Hope all of you are doing better

[@schumps7591]

i go to school in the town he was born in, and my grandmother lived next to him shortly after the release of for emma! love you middle 8

[@itsflynnnorton]

this is a beautifully edited video, i might listen to Bon Iver

[@Indyawillis85]

The album they're talking about is the most beautiful collection of music I've ever heard. Hope it resonates with you if you do check it out.

[@noahfelty4414]

it’s incredible to me the way justin vernon and bon iver as a whole resonates on such a deep level. every second of music is touched by so much raw emotion and that inspiring quality hasn’t faded even when their sound drastically changed. to me bon iver represents what music and art is all about. creating beautiful things amidst the chaos. finding connection and rest in this enigmatic life

[@38mitchh]

music is what you want and is about whatever u want it to be about. that’s where every damn person on this earth including u is wrong. art is self expression of any form or meaning. music is art. It doesn’t have to mean anything or it could mean everything. thats why ppl who listen to this guy would never listen to music that isn’t all metaphors and weird random phrases that don’t actually mean anything. because u think music had to be so immense and deep. it doesn’t.

[@noahfelty4414]

@@38mitchh ​ hi! i believe there is a misunderstanding my friend. i totally agree with you. i said in that comment, “to me bon iver represents what music and art is all about. creating beautiful things amidst the chaos”. i believe beautiful things can be absolutely anything, like you said. it doesn’t have to have some deeper meaning to be beautiful. but if it does, that’s great too! i think you’d be surprised by the music i listen to. “connection and rest in this enigmatic life” can come from anywhere and if it means something to you then it is absolutely valid. this album just happens to mean a lot to me, and it’s mostly bc of the music itself. ofc there are a few lyrics that rly hit home for me, but for the most part, i didn’t even know half of what he was singing for a very long time after hearing it. but it still touched me, and at a pivotal time in my life. anyway i just wanted you to know that i agree! hope you have a good day

[@solomonpehrson5124]

I love this album and Bon Iver. I’d love if you made more videos on him.

[@bsl17]

22, a million especially 🙇‍♂️

[@Itsme-qo2le]

For me, the most beautiful song of his is Perth, which is also the first one I heard. It was played I think at the outro of that wonderful Heath Ledger documentary, and so in my mind those two artists are always connected. I don't know, both have something otherworldly to them, I'm in awe :)

[@alduslummus6380]

I'm so with you on this

[@Itsme-qo2le]

@@alduslummus6380

[@joml2466]

I went to see Bon Iver in Bangkok in 2020, barely over a month before worldwide lockdowns started. It was the most intimate and glorious-sounding concert I've ever been to and somehow one of the memories that kept me sane during the quarantine times.

[@ashred9665]

first time i heard re:stacks and then the whole album - it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had sit and reflect. Immediately. The emotional power of this album can't be overstated. truly a masterpiece.

[@peypxy]

My father passed away on mother’s day just a month ago and I have had just a hard time lately in life. I have listened to some Bon Iver songs here and there but never knew this story. Since listening to it and just knowing this come from a place of hardship makes helps me out in so many ways. This album probably has become one of my favorites of all time

[@debajyotisg]

Occasionally, I will put For Emma on Spotify on the weekend after I wake up. I can not truly describe how I feel when I am through with the album. Content? Sadness? Peace? All three at once, perhaps.

[@CameronMcKee]

Fine I'll go listen to it for the millionth time...

[@samhalbach5633]

My favorite album ever, any genre any artist it’s simply amazing

[@Kodamair]

I really need to follow in his footsteps. This album changed my life as a teenager.. but as a man who is currently around Justin’s age during the time of his recording of this album.. I now fully understand how and why he HAD to make that album. Life is full of pain. It seems to never end. Losing what you thought was your true love and accidentally sabotaging other relationships is a pain unlike any other.. At 26, I can barely say I’ve lived a fulfilled life because I’ve been so clouded by depression and hopeless. I need to do the same and take my music more seriously before I die as a silent and invisible man..

[@isathemusiclistener]

i went to his concert two moths ago. his setlist was a pretty well rounded overview of his whole discography and, even though most of his most recent songs have a much more experimental and electronic approach, it still felt pretty homogeneous, since he somehow always manages to reach inteeense emotional depth. keep it up middle 8! big fan

[@goatseatsoatsk2255]

The first three Bon Iver albums are all masterpieces. 22 a million is his best tho :)

[@whaleproductions9648]

don’t forget blood bank ep

[@hemishrp]

For Emma, Forever Ago is my second favorite album of all time, just behind Stranger In The Alps. Towers is my favorite song of all time, but Re:Stacks is the runner-up. All-in-all, this album may place second in most of my charts, but the feelings that come from this album simply cannot be dethroned.

[@ryanmordick9736]

If there's anything I could say to Vernon it would be a very sincere "thank you". I have so many strong emotional ties to this album as I devoured it as a young man searching my way through life, love, and loss. Thank you for being vulnerable and making this record. I have immensely enjoyed my time with you in that cold, wintery cabin.

[@PBandJames1]

Great content. I love this album, I found it as a teenager in 2011 and had never related to a work of art so closely before. Thanks for doing it justice.

[@fr0gpizza162]

i have always appreciated this album, but after watching this and gaining a new perspective on how it was written, i feel like it’s a lot less sad. it feels more like healing and closure.

[@PTv1deos]

I found this album at the start of quarantine. It was appropriate

[@ethanjoelgeorge]

Unpopular opinion: Vernon is the greatest writer/composer of our time.

[@JCC852]

Sitting in a lodge on a holiday watching the sunset into the trees listening to this album with my girlfriend is one of the best moments of my life

[@williedynamyte]

Man this was an incredible album. Its an album that makes me think of winter days inside after a snowstorm. It's as honest and reveling as Joni Michell's Blue.

[@Kobtide]

Creature Fear and Team changed me, and I'm forever thankful for that

[@kestralbossard-kruger3088]

i've listened to this album a lot this year as i've turn 18 and started to travel solo internationally and strive towards moving out of my small rural town and hard family situation, the heart ache and emotion in this album is so potent and is some of the most beautiful music i've ever heard.

[@ollieoleary]

Phil Elverum's album (with accompanying journal) "Dawn" was written in a similar, longer period of isolation in the wilds of Norway. It's an understated but utterly profound and incredibly affecting set of songs, a true masterpiece.

[@gigigooglas4242]

finally some phil rec

[@sems2864]

i often come back to this masterpiece. great video, man

[@chadjolet1]

Incredible work here. Loved this

[@nevinphil]

Love your videos, and this album. Cheers man!

[@user-pu7bc8tw6x]

It is fascinating just to come across the men and women that have truly been through some rough things and are only able to create music like this because of the storms they have weathered. Very beautiful

[@ByDobson]

Incredible video as always

[@gracieayers8706]

My gosh! This video is incredible and so well done. Thank you!!

[@stefanabramian5038]

I’m loving these consistent uploads!

[@awesomeSquirel]

Thanks for making this great video. I love this album. And with more context to it, it brings me even more joy :)

[@MountainTownSounds]

Well done!! Great approach to telling the story behind the story!

[@dyllanmudrik51]

Very nice essay, thank you for the hard work

[@ARoque-hhhhh]

love your videos! thank you for talking about bon iver, i love his music a lot

[@bradymcintyre7393]

Thank you for this. So well put together. One of my favorite albums of his when I started listening to this type of music years ago.

[@TheNewYear75]

did not know about the context for this album! thanks for putting this vid together

[@zzzjamie-dimaulozzz]

i love bon iver! thanks for making this

[@kevinmurray8753]

This was so well made dude

[@jonathaniversen3869]

YES! This is content! Such a great video and take on the story - I would love to see more videos on Bon Iver and their albums:)) Thank you for this!

[@wlbralx]

I’ve heard this album hundreds of times and it never fails to make me feel like I have a knot in my throat. Even if I don’t go into it looking to feel emotional. This album man…

[@beta-lactamase]

This is my favorite album ever. It's so raw and often ambient/minimal at times, yet still so emotionally powerful. I think that the story of the album really is necessary to understand the music.

[@prakaesque]

I'm so glad to find this amazing channel and this post on Bon Iver draws me to University days when I've been roller coaster of emotional journeys. And this hits hard knowing this. Sending love❤

[@gelleganza]

Watching this on loop, it's my 5th time now:)

[@luquivarde7266]

I love your videos, because as much as you make videos of bands I love, you also do about music I’ve never heard (such as this) and make me wanna listen to it

[@xenon4022]

this is one of the only albums that really hit the first time that i went through it, its only gotten better and better since

[@kencade6544]

A truly brilliant expression that hits so deep on so many levels. Masterclass 🙌

[@Bilaliii1]

One of my favorite albums of all time. Amazing to see how it was made.

[@Fatinum]

Thus breakdown and analysis was as beautiful as the album. Well done

[@MajesticSerge]

I just wanted to say that I love you guys! This is my favorite album of all time and the praise it gets here on comment section made me believe in people again. Thank you for this video.

[@KianDaly]

Your videos are always great I love seeing videos of you examining artists that I listen to keep it up

[@alpinesnow]

this album saved me and im so glad i found this home within an album

[@justinhughees]

Perfect example of an artist that grows on you over time.

[@madeleinep.828]

I would love if you talked about A Crow Looked At Me by Mount Eerie, though it's obviously a very tragic story and wouldn't be the easiest to cover. I feel like it's one of the very few albums that have hit me harder emotionally than For Emma, which basically means listening through it can make you into a total wreck.

[@isohellz]

this album has and will always bring me immense comfort. although justin wrote this during his darkest days, it’s seen me through mine as well. it’s one of the most beautifully composed and richest albums ever. introducing me to a world of music that i had no idea even existed. i can still remember my teenage self awake at 2am unable to sleep, wrapped up under the covers, crying uncontrollably with the most intense and painful feelings i’ve ever experienced. for emma, forever ago saved my life that night. thank you for sharing this video, and sorry for getting so deep i have a lot of feelings associated with this album 🥹🫶🏽

[@danielgarzaromusic]

THIS VIDEO IS PURE GOLD. THANK YOU🫶🏽

[@TheJugulousDeli]

I've never heard of this band and after hearing this amazing story I decided to listen to them and they are amazing. Thanks for making this video, and telling the story so well

[@aryabalkaransingh9266]

Wow. I don’t think a video essay has ever made me cry like this

[@yo_peej8681]

whoa whoa whoa... and no disrespect to the rest of the vid because this album is amazing, but.... Sufjan was doing indie folk WELL before this came along. In no way is this the starting point (as suggested at 8:25), Heck, if anything the "mid-2000s indie folk' starting point was 'Naked As We Came'. For Emma signified a next-gen turning point for indie folk, though, I'll give you that. And again, the album is absolutely top of its class. Great vid.

[@riptidemonzarc3103]

Vernon's Song for a Lover of Long Ago is one of the best encapsulations and expressions od grief I've ever heard. I wish it were more common on streaming services or otherwise got an official release.

[@bobdoerr9536]

I was fortunate enough to work Eaux Claire fest a few years back and I gotta say this guy is just a good guy. Usually the artists at those kind of things don't really interact with the workers but he was smoking weed with the hands and stuff just being a chill normal dude. Glad he got the success he deserved from this record, one of my favs.

[@andreaj28]

Great video, thank you

[@yonamekibel4025]

Thank you he is so under analyzed

[@amelmb5613]

i always go back to this album no matter how many years pass

[@CronoXpono]

The whole damn album begs of you to listen and feel it. It’s amazing, even with the dense/hyperbolic lyrics, it’s just a mega jolt to your emotions…and then re:stacks let’s you process whatever the hell you’re going through. Absolutely perfect album. 💯

[@Kitrickety]

Justin Vernon is a genius. He brought life to dead bones. Something happened to me when I heard the mantra in Wolves: "What might have been lost

[@xxTriple_Txx]

Bon Iver just popped into my reccomended the other day, its crazy how he turned his life around. His pieces are truly something special, with harmonics and emotion.

[@hateitorlovification]

That was a beautiful video. I’ve loved Bon Iver since I was a young teen and was always peeved I couldn’t go to his concerts because they were 18+ then when I became 18 he stopped touring 🥹 I also listened to stacks on repeat every night for years. I love this man so much.

[@anonymouslyyoutubing2004]

So many beautiful works have come from isolation in nature!

[@DracoMalfoy.12]

I love this man ❤️

[@user-bg2ji1tn3w]

His singing voice is so much higher than his talking voice.

[@thebeelight]

great video!