Review
Destroyer swings right out of the gate with “Dan’s Boogie,” an album that reads like a full-court press on the existential scoreboard. Dan Bejar, with his usual flair for the theatrical, dives into the big themes—aging and the kind of midlife drift we all feel creeping up on us from the bench. The album’s got that classic Destroyer maximalism but knows just when to pull back, like in “Travel Light,” where Bejar ditches the frills and lets a bare piano do the talking.
Musically, it’s a roster deep with plays worth replaying—“Cataract Time” goes for the long shot, blending somber storytelling with a closing instrumental run that gives you that walking-out-of-the-stadium grin. Cameos by Simone Schmidt and former sax ace Joseph Shabason add just the right amount of color, making the album feel like an all-star game with chemistry to burn. “Dan’s Boogie” really is Destroyer sticking to their guns while stretching out their playbook, offering up both innovation and comfort. Game plan: spin this one with good headphones during a late-night drive, and let Bejar’s sharp turns and left-field assists keep you guessing at every track. - Peter
