Let’s let bygones be bygones: it appears the once collaboration between Justin Vernon and Collections of Colonies of Bees, Volcano Choir, is finally ready to buckle down and take that full time job offer. “Byegone,” the group’s latest single, takes a hard left to normalcy that leaves the hypnotic-ambience of their experimental debut, Unmap, streets behind. And they’re not checking the rear view.
Aside from the lack of falsetto, “Byegone” has Bon Iver’s prints all over it; the lyrics nod heavily to the north (not to mention they offer up plenty Bonfoolery), and amalgamate with the instruments to form sweeping sentiments of home and togetherness. Throughout the track Volcano Choir sounds inspired, and in turn they have created something inspirational. What begins with a lone guitar ends in crashing cymbals, orchestral swells, and even group yell-y vocals.
Whereas their first album seemed like a testing ground of clippings and sketches, “Byegone” finds Volcano Choir going for something more meaningful and epic. And to us Wisconsinites it breathes home as resonantly as anything that’s ever come out of Justin Vernon’s camp. At the very, very least, this is probably our only shot at hearing him say “sexing” in a song. So check it out. Now.