Album Review: Volcano Choir – Repave

Volcano Choir, perhaps most well-known as the side project of Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon, have really brought their A game with Repave. But Volcano Choir aren’t all about Bon, they are actually what one might term an ‘indie-superband’. Okay they’re not quite Atoms For Peace, but they are the product of Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees and together they have made some sweet, sweet music.

All in all – it’s a beauty, and having it soundtrack my summer has made me one very lucky lady. The album begins with ‘Tiderays’ and, as you might expect, it’s a beautifully plucked number gently waking you up and rousing you with its simple and heartfelt orchestration. Vernon’s voice, evocative of so many past relationships and future heartbreaks, starts as it means to go on: touching every heart string and resonating with every chord change.

More than ever, Vernon’s lower register comes into play, giving a depth to many of the songs on Repave, making the album feel far more complete than even the most recent Bon Iver offering. ‘Byegone’, the first single taken from the album is stadium-ready; it’s a tour-de-force of emphatic indie-pop and from the offset it sits itself down as the big hitter. With a crowd-friendly chorus, it builds with each verse, creating a simply wonderful crescendo that lifts every hair on your neck, back and arms, rousing all passions to willingly ‘set sail’ with Volcano Choir. Far more complete than any previous offering from either party, ‘Byegone’ is something quite special, indeed.

There are also quieter moments on the album. ‘Comrade’ is a twinkling number that dances round the beginning of the album, whilst ‘Alaskans’ is as beautifully bleak as its namesake. A lazy Sunday-afternoon tinged number; you can almost smell the forest from the patio of the log cabin. But no sooner have you sat in the old wooden rocking chair, and you’re up again, ready to do your volcanic hoe-down. ‘Dancepack’ is a personal favourite: a bouncy number that can’t help but slap a smile right on your face. It’s a call to arms, and if those arms are Volcano Choir’s – I’m more than happy to oblige.

Repave isn’t a long album at all, but you’re certainly getting your money’s worth. Each and every number is full of warmth, emotion and, most importantly, great music. Volcano Choir might always be living in the shadow of Mr. Vernon, but they’re certainly due an eruption of their own any time now.

– Liz Ward