Big Red Machine is a collaboration between Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Their second album is called “How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?”  It champions the communal nature of music by featuring vocal contributions from Anais Mitchell, Sharon Van Etten, Fleet Foxes, Taylor Swift and more.

Justin Vernon says this is Aaron’s record stylistically as he brings together the ensemble cast and gives the album it’s consistent sound. Rare vocal performances from Dessner are among the highlights of the album.

There is a moving tribute to the late Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit who was a long time friend of Dessner with Sharon Van Etten, Lisa Hannigan, and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Nova joining Vernon on vocals.

“How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?” is different from the first album by Big Red Machine. It sound less spur of the moment, more thought out and organized. The great harmonies and sparse instrumentation draw in the listeners but the songs themselves will keep them coming back for more.

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