Bon Iver

The backstory on For Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon’s debut album under the name Bon Iver, reads like a musical version of Jon Krakauer’s Into The Wild. Singer-songwriter Vernon holed up in his father’s cabin in northwestern Wisconsin for several months after a series of personal setbacks, including breakups with his band and girlfriend, and a lingering bout with mononucleosis that kept him in bed for three months. The result is a set of hauntingly beautiful folk songs that caught the attention of critics and celebrities alike, ultimately landing him a backup vocal spot on several Kanye West songs. Bon Iver’s latest record, Bon Iver, isn’t quite as mesmerizing as his debut, but it’s enchanting and lonely all the same—particularly when adding the videos that accompany each song on the deluxe edition—making it one of the best of 2011 for sure.

Updated 01/11/2012