Have We Met – Destroyer
★ ★ ★ ★
Destroyer was formed in 1995 as a side project of Dan Bejar, known for his work in The New Pornographers, and 25 years on he continues to deliver with a strong new entry in his discography, Have We Met, after his 2017 effort Ken. His warbling, tremulous vocals evoke strong comparisons to the late David Bowie, but they can feel slightly jarring to an uninitiated listener. Once past this slight obstacle, there’s plenty of value to be found here.
The opening track, ‘Crimson Tide’ is a profoundly groovy track that sets the tone for the rest of the album – its staunchly synthpop stylings are established almost immediately. Bejar’s chaotically organised and often cryptic lyrics are part of what makes his work as Destroyer so compelling, and Have We Met is no exception. The ethereal ‘The New Television Supervisor’ is a breath of quirkiness amidst the more serious tracks – the line “Clickety click click, the music makes a musical sound” is crooned by Bejar with complete and utter sincerity. ‘The Raven’ essentially acts as an antithesis to this, with its significantly darker tones. Have We Met is an extremely solid album from start to finish, and a testament to Bejar’s songwriting strength.
Matthew Derwin – Music Editor
