Compared to 2017’s ken, a gothic-sounding record distinguished by chillier tones and pared-down lyrics, his masterful new album Have We Met sets a larger canvas. Produced by bandmate John Collins, the music is sweeping and bold and surprising.
Like eclipse glasses, these songs are a way to see things too intense to stare at directly. Peer through them, though, and there's Bejar's world, darkness and beauty visible. [Mar 2020, p.121]
The result is a markedly retro-futurist sound, from the OMD-ish ‘Kinda Dark’ to ‘It Just Doesn’t Happen’, the synth line on which sounds suspiciously similar to a new wave rendition of Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push It’. At times, the music veers so close to kitsch that it may very well alienate some listeners from the get-go. Bejar’s songwriting remains as deft, cryptic and mosaic as ever though.
The result is a hermetic record that is practically self-contained within a computer hard drive. Yet Have We Met never lacks for atmosphere, or a sense of unpredictability that feels kinetic.
Dan Bejar's best work transports you to a nocturnal world where he acts as a wry guide with whom you float drunkenly through the night. ThisDan Bejar's best work transports you to a nocturnal world where he acts as a wry guide with whom you float drunkenly through the night. This is an album made for headphones and a rainy evening. The songs are consistent in mood, and the standout tracks are among the best of his career. The singles, and especially "It Just Doesn't Happen" set a high bar for the album, but standouts like "the Raven" easily are up to the task of keeping up with that writing. Few artists this far into their careers come up with music this great, Bejar is a treasure.…Expand
The only thing consistent about Destroyer’s releases; they’re always great. Another inspiring addition to the Dan Bejar and co’s wonderful andThe only thing consistent about Destroyer’s releases; they’re always great. Another inspiring addition to the Dan Bejar and co’s wonderful and diverse discography.…Expand
Destroyer's albums are consistently great, and no two Destroyer albums sound the same. But the one constant is Dan Bejar's brilliantly vagueDestroyer's albums are consistently great, and no two Destroyer albums sound the same. But the one constant is Dan Bejar's brilliantly vague lyrics and idiosyncratic vocals, as well as top-notch musicianship. If you've ever seen Destroyer live you know that Bejar has the knack of putting exceptionally stellar bands together. Have We Met is a slight disappointment in that it is a bit uneven - not all of the songs work for me. But the songs that do are incredible - The Raven, It Just Doesn't Happen, Crimson Tide, Kinda Dark. Nic Bragg's guitar playing on this is jaw-dropping, but in a way some of it seems a bit spare. After the one-two-three punch of Kaputt, Poison Season, and Ken he was due for something not quite as good. But I'll take any new Destroyer album and absorb myself in it. This is no exception really.…Expand
More often than not Destroyer's poeticism is what's carrying the songs on this latest album. The backing instrumentals are kind of hit or missMore often than not Destroyer's poeticism is what's carrying the songs on this latest album. The backing instrumentals are kind of hit or miss otherwise. But if your'e looking for a sort of episodic love story rich with details and hidden meanings to unpack left and right then I highly recommend giving this one a shot.…Expand
Es un álbum algo monotono sin mucho energía o intensidad. La dinamica que la voz de Dan Bejar tiene con la música muchas veces( 77/100 )
Es un álbum algo monotono sin mucho energía o intensidad. La dinamica que la voz de Dan Bejar tiene con la música muchas veces no compagina y le quita el atractivo a varias canciones, sin embargo el trabajo de producción, a cargo de John Collins permite que el viaje sea un tranquilo camino de reflexión y serenidad. No hay innovación pero sí hay suficiente esencia y alma en este proyecto que se puede disfrutar como un suavizante ambiental para aquellos que tienen vidas apresuradas o que simplemente disfrutan de las canciones de cuna urbanas.
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This is a monotonous album with no much energy or intensity. The dynamic that Dan Bejar's voice has with the music many times doesn't combine and takes away the attractiveness to several songs, nevertheless, the production work, in hands of John Collins, let the journey to be a calm road of reflection and serenity. There is no innovation but there is enough essence and soul in this project that can be enjoyed as an ambient softener for those who have rushed lives o those that just want to enjoy urban lullabies.…Expand
