How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? by Big Red Machine

Big Red Machine feels like it should be the biggest band on the planet, or at least the biggest band for sad indie girls who can’t move on. Yet, surprisingly, I rarely hear people talking about this collaborative duo. Actually the words ‘band’ or ‘duo’ seem lacking. Big Red Machine more accurately is a continuously evolving project; a project originating from the imaginative minds of Aaron Dessner (of The National) and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. It’s especially surprising everyone isn't talking about them 24/7, since it’s a community-based project-of-sorts incorporating all their closest friends and favorite collaborators including Taylor Swift, Anaïs Mitchell, Fleet Foxes, Sharon Van Etten, and many more. Looking at their most recent album from 2021, How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? the duo explores melancholy for the past, investigating how memory can warp under the pressure of nostalgia and regret.

The album starts with “Latter Days” featuring Anaïs Mitchell, immediately asking the titular question “How long? Is what you asked / How long do you think it’s gonna last?” As the verse continues, it becomes unclear what the question is in reference to; a storm or a relationship, or are the two the same? This clever lyricism carries the song, as Mitchell continues to sing “Talkin’ back to an act of God / You and your clever mouth / You were laughing when the lights went out.” A line that personally haunts me. A parallel story is then brought forth of two brothers calling out to each other. The words flow out, “Passed out spinning in the house where you grew you / You in your childhood bed / And the wildest dream you ever had.” This beautiful opening song highlights not only Dessner, Vernon, and Mitchell’s brilliant lyricism but also establishes themes of love, brotherhood, mental illness, and recollection of days long past. 

The album expands on this foundation of motifs over the course of 15 songs, the majority of which are collaborations with other musicians who bring in their own voices and stories. Big Red Machine therefore presents a unique experience that takes full advantage of the duos’ extensive network of talented friends. At its best, the album results in collaborative songs such as “Phoenix” featuring Fleet Foxes and Mitchell, or “Mimi” featuring Ilsey. 

“Phoenix” is a fascinating example of a musical dialogue between various artists. The process began with Vernon writing the melody and Dessner writing the initial lyrics, but this quickly evolved through the inclusion of Fleet Foxes. Interestingly, Robin Pecknold, lead songwriter/vocalist of Fleet Foxes, had previously only met Vernon once in person. Pecknold’s lyrics are therefore inspired by this singular conversation which occurred over 10 years prior. Mitchell was then brought in as an additional voice, writing an imaginary response from Vernon’s present perspective. The song transformed into this weird, complex call and response between multiple artists, over varying places in time. “Phoenix” is an excellent example of Big Red Machine’s potential executed to perfection, with every artist contributing tiny parts to build a collage of chords, notes, and stories. Ilsey’s inclusion on “Mimi” is another example. The track seems often forgotten on this album, but “Mimi”’s brightness and optimism cut through the inherent repetitive heaviness within How Long... The track is titled and dedicated to Dessner’s daughter, and truly utilizes all three voices, as they overlap and contradict one another. The song muddles in uncertainty and past mistakes, but the inevitable conclusion forefronts the gratitude of parenthood.

There are also wonderful solo tracks written by the duo, a favorite being “The Ghost of Cincinnati” a song which follows Dessner as he expresses being overworked to the point of emotional exhaustion and burnout. Sprinkled with various little references that geographically ground the song in Cincinnati, the track feels deeply personal as we, the listeners, follow this wandering ghost. “Brycie” is another standout produced by Dessner’s emotional turmoil, dedicated to his twin brother and bandmate Bryce Dessner. As someone who struggles with depression, Aaron uses this time to thank his brother for always supporting him. Fixated on the past, searching for meaning in the confusion of childhood, and filled with anxieties of adulthood, Aaron tries to look through this tornado of feelings, holding on to his brother’s constant love. This is complemented by the decision to have both brothers on the track, playing interlocking guitar melodies.

Additionally, it’s impossible to ignore the Taylor Swift factor. It’s only logical that “Renegade” and “Birch” are the most popular songs from this album. They seem so familiar, only due to the consistency of how often these artists work together, to the extent that “Renegade” and “Birch” feel like bonus tracks off of Swift’s Evermore. Paired together on this album, the two songs definitely stand out but ultimately to the benefit of the album. They’re catchy and have that familiar lyricism that can only be found in the Vernon, Dessner, Swift melting pot. It is also important to recognize that this album, due to its length, does drag. It demands the listener pay attention and dig through the album to find the moments of brilliance. The experience becomes repetitive at times, which feels like it should be impossible due to the amount of new voices being added throughout the album. There are a few disappointing tracks as the album continues, only notable due to the immense potential that these artists radiate together. 

What’s incredible about Big Red Machine is their ability to bring together this wonderful network of artists, who they’ve collaborated with before or admired from afar. This surprising experiment is by no means a ‘no-skip album’ but is a fascinating listening experience, utilizing talent from across genres and borders. It’s clear that Dessner and Vernon love making music together, and utilize collaboration as a tool to push themselves. Whether they are achieving a better result than their solo work can definitely be discussed. Yet, what is explored in How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? is a genuine, beautiful, and complicated picture of memory. How can one grapple with the longing to fix the past, to make sense of it, to appreciate what was then and what is now? Big Red Machine is a mosaic of this confusion, joy, and regret with a lingering feeling that everything has an unknowable time limit.