Bon Iver follows Taylor Swift collaboration with new song featuring Bruce Springsteen

Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read

After collaborating with Taylor Swift on her album "Folklore" last month, Bon Iver is now working with the Boss.

The Wisconsin-bred act led by Justin Vernon released an arty, piano-led, gospel-inspired song Wednesday, "AUATC," an acronym for "Ate Up All Their Cake."

The hopeful song is co-written by Vernon and frequent collaborator and fellow Eau Claire, Wis. native Phil Cook. Listed in the vocals credits is none other than Bruce Springsteen, alongside Jenny Lewis, Jenn Wasner and Elsa Jensen — although it's hard to distinguish the voices given the vocals' higher-pitched aesthetic.

With the song, Bon Iver is also encouraging listeners to donate to a number of organizations, including the Red Letter Grant, a Wisconsin organization supporting female entrepreneurs.

Other organizations Bon Iver endorsed with the song's release Wednesday include the National Independent Venue Association, the Equal Justice Initiative, 350.org, and the Minneapolis Sanctuary Movement.

"We must empower and embrace our vulnerable neighbors," Bon Iver wrote in a four-paragraph statement issued to media Wednesday. "We must fight racism and sexism and classism to build a stronger foundation for the home we all deserve. We must support the leaders and organizations working to change our world for the better."

"AUATC" is the third song released by Bon Iver during the pandemic. "PDLIF," which stands for "Please Don't Live in Fear," came out in April to benefit the nonprofit Direct Relief, which is supplying protective gear and medications to health care workers helping people fighting COVID-19.

Then last month, Bon Iver collaborated with Taylor Swift on the song "Exile" from her blockbuster surprise album "Folklore."

Taylor Swift makes history as first artist to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's album and songs charts

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bon Iver new song 'AUATC' features Bruce Springsteen vocals