It’s been a busy few months for American indie-folk ensemble Bon Iver. After dropping their single PDLIF (Please Don’t Live In Fear) in April, with all proceeds from the track going to Direct Relief, a company that is providing resources during the Coronavirus pandemic, they popped up again in July on exile, the second single from Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore, scoring their biggest hit in the USA to date as the song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

And now Justin Vernon and co. are back again with a new single AUATC (Ate Up All The Cake) that features guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen on backing vocals, and Jenny Lewis. There is also an accompanying music video created by Aaron Anderson and Eric Timothy Carlson, with choreography by Randall Riley.

The song is the second release after PDLIF from Bon Iver’s current ‘Season 5’ project and has also been referred to as Season 5: Episode 2 in promotional material. It is carried on a sweet piano melody and sees Vernon make biblical references and sing: “They ate up all their cake / And they drank their own wine / They were always on the take / Well, you know the burden ain't a gust / The only path to love is touch / I'll always know that all that proper mounts too much”.

In a statement posted on their official Facebook page coinciding with the release of AUATC, Bon Iver said: “We are calling attention to the fight against capitalism and our collective participation in its dominant institutions. Bon Iver acknowledges our own position within and use of capitalistic practices. It is with recognition of our privilege that we are fully committed to using our unique platform to challenge and change capitalism within our industry, and far beyond.”

The band have also used the single to promote the work of a number of organisations, including Equal Justice Initiative, Red Letter Grant, NIVA (National Independent Venue Association), Minneapolis Sanctuary Movement, and 350.org.

Watch the official video for AUATC (Ate Up All The Cake) below.

 indie       folk 

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.