I just finished listening to the new Destroyer record, Dan Bejar’s most recent release, “Have We Met” the new wave synthpop sound really gets around–even Dan Bejar’s dreamy, chamber goth has decided to evoke the Eighties in all its upbeat, mall food court ambiance. Except instead of enticing you to eat crusty Panda Express, he’s urging listeners to ponder the curse of silence, song structure and his tribute to an imaginary tribute to a Poesian Raven. Much credit must be given to his somber “It Just Doesn’t Happen” as the point where my mind switched from “oh, this is interesting” to “oh, this is worth listening.” As his higher register expands an Overton window that includes Neil Young, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen, it’s fait accompli that his music is always on my short list of must explore–his complex conceits contrasting well with the simple musicality on this record. Bejar could hardly ask for more..
From the album “Have We Met,” Released January 31st, 2020
The Fat Angel Sings 