"22, A Million" is the third studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver, released on September 30, 2016. Recorded at Justin Vernon's April Base studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the album signifies a major shift in the band’s sound, blending elements of electronic music and hip-hop production, influenced by Vernon's previous collaborations with Kanye West. The lyrics largely explore themes surrounding Vernon's rise to fame and the changes in his relationship with the world.
The album premiered at the Eaux Claires Music Festival and debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its innovative sound and vibrant lyricism. It was listed as one of the best albums of 2016 by several publications, including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian, and earned nominations for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package at the 2017 Grammy Awards. In 2019, both Pitchfork and Rolling Stone recognized it as one of the best albums of the decade.
22, A Million features songs written and produced between 2012 and 2016, incorporating samples, synthesizers, and brass instruments, with many sounds created using a Teenage Engineering OP-1 synthesizer and custom-designed effects by producer Chris Messina.
