Arriving three years after the project's full-length debut,
How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?
takes the form of a star-studded, over-hour-long follow-up by
Big Red Machine
, a collaboration between
Bon Iver
's
Justin Vernon
and
the National
Aaron Dessner
. More collaborative and less experimental than its predecessor, it adheres to a dreamy, wistful, midtempo universe, one where guest vocalists float in and out of duets with and takeovers for
Vernon
as various themes relating to the lifecycle languidly unfold. A consistently subdued, reflective affair with minimal chord movement and delicate production touches, its selection of "Latter Days" as the opener -- a song nostalgic for innocence -- is fitting. A duet with
Anais Mitchell
, it also establishes the record's spartan approach to arranging, with electric piano, simple drums, and evaporative electronic atmosphere.
Mitchell
soon turns up again, this time alongside
Fleet Foxes
on the modestly jauntier "Phoenix." Also making more than one appearance here is none other than
Taylor Swift
, on the heels of her own
folklore
Evermore
, which were co-produced by
Dessner
. She takes the lead on the compassionate "Renegade" after providing harmony vocals on "Birch," a soaring highlight for
. Along with the improvisatory "Easy to Sabotage" (featuring
Naeem
), among the album's more animated entries is "Mimi," which layers noodly guitar and vocal rounds by
and guest singer
Ilsey
(
Ilsey Juber
) over an odd time signature that might best be described as 5/8. That song was co-written by
,
, and
and features drums by
Big Thief
James Krivchenia
. Among other contributors are
Sharon Van Etten
Lisa Hannigan
My Brightest Diamond
Shara Nova
, who join forces as backing vocalists on a gospel-informed tribute to
Scott Hutchison
("Hutch"), and
Ben Howard
This Is the Kit
, who appear together on "June's a River." Elsewhere, "Brycie" -- dedicated to
's brother and
National
bandmate,
Bryce
-- is one of three tracks to feature
Aaron
on lead vocals for the first time in his career. After an hour, the album is bookended with another
appearance, the nostalgic "New Auburn." While
's mellow poignancy is likely to stick more than any of its songs; its pathos is genuine and immersive. ~ Marcy Donelson