8/10
Since his earliest beginnings, Dan Bejar aka Destroyer has been one of the most consummate and intriguing musicians to emerge from Canada over the years. With a broad and diverse aesthetic, everything that he has produced to date has the aim of captivating and intriguing us at every step and this continues far into his twelfth full-length 'Have We Met', a record that returns to his more progressive and grandeur direction.
With his previous LP 'ken', Destroyer was heading into a more reduced and lo-fi interest, with much of the flair and fanfare of his 2015 release 'Poison Season' stripped back to reveal a more intimate feel. But with 'Have We Met', it certainly feels like he is ready to get back on the vibrant and invigorating horse that became his calling card through his early years. Produced by bandmate John Collins, the music has this almost unpredictable vibe to it. With sweeping tones and a vast array off instrumentation throughout, this new collection sees Bejar more confident and engaged than we have heard in recent times.
Fans of his work prior to 'ken' will be right back on board with this new full-length. 'Have We Met' is a rich and enticing tapestry of intent that very rarely falters. Dan Bejar has this incredibly magnetic presence about him on this release, and there is something about his mystical majesty that will have you hooked from start to finish.