Welcome to Bandwidth, The Current digital team’s weekly roundup of news, music we like, and upcoming concerts. (Got a local topic you think we should include? Hit up localshow@mpr.org.)

Bon Iver’s back with a new track

“Second Nature” is a soundtrack pick from the forthcoming Netflix sci-fi black comedy Don’t Look Up, directed by Adam McKay (Anchorman, The Big Short). In addition to the familiar vocals from Justin Vernon, the song by Bon Iver and Nicholas Britell includes Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner on vocals, as well as French horn and trumpet by CJ Camerieri and strings by Rob Moose — both of yMusic. All of the orchestral touches make the song embody the hope still felt in the hearts of people who possibly don’t know that a comet is streaking through the galaxy on a certain path to destroy the Earth. Enjoy! (Also, a reminder that the 10th anniversary edition of Bon Iver, Bon Iver arrives in January.)

Top 89’s here

Speaking of the end of 2021 as we know it. Our annual Top 89 has officially launched to determine what was truly great. The results hit our airwaves on New Year’s Eve. Helpful links:

• Check out the ballot and vote

• Top 89 of 2021: The Current Staff Picks

Read on

• First Avenue and Familia have teamed up for some limited-edition Nikes.

• Zeke gave Star Tribune a pick six list.

• Rapper and community organizer Maria Isa has launched a bid for Minnesota State Senate District 65.

• The Great Northern has announced its 2022 schedule, loaded with art, music, and outdoor adventures.

• Two years ago, Lizzo was on quite a few magazine covers. She’s still got it on the cover of Essence!

• The Purple Rain soundtrack topped The Ringer’s Best Soundtracks list.

More from The Current

• Cecilia Johnson’s in-depth interview with Caroline Smith: Your Smith’s Minnesota return sparks a "writing renaissance" — and, soon, parenthood.

• We’re remembering the musicians we’ve lost, both worldwide and here in Minnesota. This includes the loss of Prince’s DJ Brother Jules.

• Curtiss A’s annual John Lennon Tribute took on special importance in the era of Covid and Get Back. Photographer Tony Nelson captured visual highlights from the evening.

• Jay Gabler reviewed Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen’s Renegades.

• New music: Album of the Week is Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats’ The Future; there are new songs to check out from Thundercat, SZA, The National, H.E.R., The Cactus Blossoms and Tame Impala; and Bad Bad Hats have a new holiday song ahead of their Winter Ball. And, a new Hippo Campus video is in the Friday Five.

• Congrats to our colleague Julian Green, who is now the Content Director for the new Urban Alternative Project. It’s a collaboration between The Current and KMOJ-FM.

• This week’s 89 Days of Winter entry: Ten holiday shows to see this season in the Twin Cities.

Weekend Gig Lists

• Friday, December 10: Bad Bad Hats, Nur-D, VIAL, Lissie

• Saturday, December 11: Muun Bato, Jason Mraz, Surfaces

• Sunday, December 12: Gully Boys, Raffaella, Ivers