Following the breakthrough success of 2008’s For Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon (better known to the world as Mr Bon Iver) is back as part of Volcano Choir. A collaboration between Vernon and fellow Wisconsin rockers, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Volcano Choir present their imaginative and ethereal debut album Unmap.

Unmap ultimately came together over a weekend in November 2008 in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, at Justin and Nate Vernon’s recording studio. And while it is at its heart a record about the allure of being with people you need and making something with them, and a document created by musicians with rare gifts getting together to exorcise. With influences ranging from David Sylvian and Steve Reich to Mahalia Jackson and Tom Waits, it might be more accurate to say the group’s influence is music itself. You can hear it in the care and real love generously applied to each moment of_Unmap_. With the vibe of some intimate backwoods gospel, plus a spirit of patience and thoughtful repetition, the music of Volcano Choir is as dynamic as it is lovely.

Tracks

1. Husks And Shells
2. Seeplymouth
3. Island, Is
4. Dote
5. And Gather
6. Mbira In The Morass
7. Cool Knowledge
8. Still
9. Youlogy