Unmap

Unmap is the 2009 debut from Volcano Choir, a collaboration between Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and the post-rock ensemble Collections of Colonies of Bees. Recorded in the wake of Vernon's massive success with For Emma, Forever Ago, this album represents a sharp turn toward the avant-garde. Eschewing traditional song structures, the group utilized a 'mail-order' recording process where instrumental loops were sent to Vernon, who then layered heavily processed, non-linear vocal takes over them. The result is a highly textural work that blends indie folk sensibilities with the glitchy aesthetics of IDM and the patient builds of post-rock. Critics at AllMusic and BBC Music noted its challenging nature, praising the way it deconstructed Vernon's 'folk hero' persona. It remains a pivotal release for the Jagjaguwar label, bridging the gap between mid-2000s indie rock and the more experimental electronic textures that would define the following decade.