Peter Doran’s newest album, ‘All the World Is Running on a Mystic Code,’ is a profound and expansive exploration of love, nature, time, and the metaphysical. It serves as a radiant, living prayer that embraces mystery without seeking answers.
In a world that often pursues clarity, Doran presents something far more vital: Wonder. With ‘All the World Is Running on a Mystic Code,’ the Irish singer-songwriter invites listeners into a space of vulnerability and cosmic curiosity, where feelings swell and silence communicates. The album evokes the sense of a sacred ritual, interwoven with memory, mythology, and the tranquil amazement of simply existing.
Doran, whose voice encompasses the weathered wisdom of someone who has witnessed the world’s disarray and its resurgence, is no stranger to creating memorable songs. However, ‘All the World Is Running on a Mystic Code’ stands apart as his most ambitious effort to date, with richer textures, bolder themes, and deeper emotions. These songs resonate like prayers yet strike with truth.
The opening track, “Mystic Code,” immediately establishes the atmosphere, merging subdued acoustics with swirling soundscapes as Doran reflects on life’s sacred order—or the lack of it. The production is minimal yet immersive, enveloping the listener like dawn’s fog—beautiful, elusive, and fleeting.
At its essence, this album explores transition. It emerged from a moment of profound personal uncertainty when Doran was awaiting the results of his wife’s prenatal scan during the pandemic. This moment is illustrated in “Clockwork,” a masterful display of restrained storytelling that elegantly balances fear and faith, mapping his emotional terrain against the physical streets of Mullingar. “You’re nervous at the other side of town, but our fortunes are changing,” he shares—not as reassurance, but as a mantra, with every word feeling earned and every silence deliberate.
What makes ‘All the World Is Running on a Mystic Code’ so captivating is not only the songwriting but also the sonic landscape Doran creates. There’s a tangible quality to this album; one can almost feel the breaths taken between verses, the wooden resonance of strings, and the gentle rustling of wind in the background. This is intentional. With collaborators like Nicky Brennan (Picture This), Fiachra Kinder (Hozier), and cellist Gerard Toal, the record maintains a subtlety that allows it to flow, pulse, and whisper.
Tracks such as “Floodlights” and “Willow” resonate with a melodic stillness reminiscent of Nick Drake or the quieter moments of Sufjan Stevens. These songs are vividly visual, depicting the Irish landscape not merely as a setting but as an integral part of the narrative. Nature here is not just a backdrop; it serves as memory, metaphor, and reflection.
“Never Say Goodbye” emerges as perhaps the emotional core of the album, featuring maritime imagery and a haunting refrain, “God bless the now and evermore.” It conveys a sense of eternity, akin to something drawn from the depths of the ocean or the outskirts of a dream. Accompanied by a cinematic music video by Josh Wagner, the song’s ethereal aspects are anchored in elemental imagery.
However, ‘Mystic Code’ is not solely about quiet introspection and sorrow; it also contains moments of innovation and play. “Steamboat Captain,” co-written with local icon Jimmy Broder, ventures into avant-folk territory, marrying unconventional rhythms with poetic surrealism. This highlights that while Doran often reflects, he never becomes stagnant.
Indeed, much of this album focuses on movement: the change of seasons, the rotation of wheels, the orbiting of stars and lovers. “The Lover’s Wheel” concludes the album, not with neat resolution but with openness. Here, there are no tidy conclusions or cathartic releases—just a gentle return to the world, transformed.
Doran’s voice is a revelation throughout the album—neither imposing nor fragile, but purposeful. It possesses a trustworthiness born not from perfection but from its authenticity, evoking a lived experience. There’s a quiet reverence in his singing, where each note serves as both a release and an offering.
Accompanying the album is a short film directed by Conor English, showcasing intimate live performances captured around Westmeath. This film transcends a mere visual add-on; it integrates into the album’s essence, providing another entry point into its world and an alternative path through the metaphorical forest.
Peter Doran does not just compose songs; he narrates experiences and articulates what often goes unspoken. With ‘All the World Is Running on a Mystic Code,’ he reminds us that the true beauty of existence lies not in comprehending everything, but in being present with the mystery. The album does not shout or demand; it simply extends a welcoming hand. In its simplicity, that feels revolutionary.
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Disclosure: The author of this piece also serves as the artist’s
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Peter Doran’s latest album, ‘All the World Is Running on a Mystic Code,’ is a profound and wide-ranging reflection on love, nature, time, and the metaphysical. It serves as a radiant, vibrant prayer that doesn't seek answers but boldly welcomes the mystery.