Justin Vernon struck gold with his fifth studio album, “SABLE, fABLE,” which takes the top spot for Bon Iver’s — Vernon’s long-standing solo musical project — most introspective work yet. The transition from songs in “SABLE,” to those that constitute “fABLE” reveal a deluge of emotion that is unabashed and brought to life by incredible production.

The new Bon Iver album is about “steering to the sunlight,” so Justin Vernon traded the holocene for the hardwood and invited a few of his friends to an L.A. gym for an exhibition game this weekend. We headed to Little Tokyo to find out if Bon knows ball.

After a six-year hiatus, Bon Iver released a double album, SABLE, fABLE. Unlike previous releases, the man behind the band, Justin Vernon, is at the center of the project, reflecting on his past as a solitary “sad boy” and reshaping his artistic identity for the future.