Mystic Familiar

Like any conversation we have with ourselves, ‘Mystic Familiar’ is not simple or predictable, but does prove the power of switching off all distractions and taking the time to dig deep into what’s inside. There’s a whole other universe you might be missing.

The Baltimore based artist has released and produced a variety of EP’s, soundtracks and experimental offerings but on Mystic Familiar he succeeds in combing passions and moving things slightly to a more personal tone amongst the cluttering digital world in which we all live.

Deacon reassures the listener that inner peace "starts any moment you'd like." Mystic Familiar's triumphant victory lap is "Bumble Bee Crown King," a dazzling instrumental featuring Dustin Wong's unmistakable, spellbinding guitar work.

He’s decided to take things a little slower, in the process creating his best, and perhaps most coherent, album to date.

Breezy pop structures are undercut by experimental sound design, a playful spirit buoying up the record throughout.

It’s a superb return to the traditional album for Deacon. He's clearly learned a great deal making soundtracks, producing a record of a grand cinematic scale with a clearer eye on creating emotionally shifting tracks. Yet Dan Deacon maintains his constant look towards salvation and joy and retains an almost incomparable gift for conjuring them in a listener.

For fans that saw the culmination of his artistic prowess in Gliss Riffer, Mystic Familiar will fulfill many of the same needs, but with even greater balance in execution.

Dan Deacon’s return into the solo world has resulted in an exuberant fifth album that leaves us craving for more of his newly honed skills. The fascinating contrast between his acoustic and electronic backdrop leads us towards an elusive higher power, while some of his lyrics bring us back down to earth.

As effective as it is at its goal, the monotone, repetitive qualities of Mystic Familiar can grow tiresome after a while; they also lend themselves to deja vu.

A giddy psychedelic opera performed with Wayne Coyne-levels of beaming optimism. [Mar 2020, p.27]