Big Red Machine

Big Red Machine is the self-titled debut from the collaborative project between Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Aaron Dessner (The National). Born from the PEOPLE collective, the album originated from a sketch Dessner sent Vernon in 2008, eventually evolving into a full-length exploration of 'folktronica.' Recorded primarily at Dessner's Long Pond studio, the album features a revolving door of contributors, including Brad Cook and Phoebe Bridgers. Sonically, it is defined by its use of the 'Messina' (a software-hardware vocal harmony engine) and modular synthesizers, which provide a restless, glitchy foundation for Vernon’s abstract lyrics. Critics from The Guardian and AllMusic noted its improvisational feel, praising the duo's ability to blend their distinct styles into something more experimental than their main bands. It stands as a pivotal document of the late-2010s indie-folk evolution toward digital abstraction.