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For Emma, Forever Ago
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work
For Emma, Forever Ago · Justin Vernon was living in Raleigh, North Carolina, when he fell ill, first with pneumonia and then with mononucleosis and a liver infection. His band fell apart and he became frustrated with his writing and his life. He drove to his father's remote hunting cabin in Wisconsin, hoping to be alone. There, between late 2006 and early 2007, he recorded the album. He abandoned his old way of working and first wrote melodies without words, to which he later added lyrics. He hunted his own food and spent a lot of time alone.
His folk songs have heavy choral arrangements, with his falsetto and horns. The lyrics are about lost love and mediocrity. He released the album himself in July 2007 and signed to Jagjaguwar later that year. Skinny Love became the best-known single. Critics were full of praise and the album appeared on dozens of year-end lists. It grew into a major success for an independent label.
Listening
Track list
- 1Flume3:39Apple Music ↗
- 2Lump Sum3:21Apple Music ↗
- 3Skinny Love3:59Apple Music ↗
- 4The Wolves (Act I and II)5:22Apple Music ↗
- 5Blindsided5:29Apple Music ↗
- 6Creature Fear3:06Apple Music ↗
- 7Team1:57Apple Music ↗
- 8For Emma3:41Apple Music ↗
- 9Re: Stacks6:41Apple Music ↗
30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗