Every once in a while, an album arrives that feels like it was crafted for something more than just listening—it was meant to be felt. Peter Doran’s All the World is Running on a Mystic Code is that kind of record. It’s an album that doesn’t beg for your attention, but rather earns it, one intimate verse at a time. Rooted in folk but not bound by it, the project merges acoustic warmth with ambient textures and experimental edges, offering a soundtrack for introspection and inner stillness.
Doran, who has quietly carved a space in the Irish music scene over six albums and two decades, uses Mystic Code to explore some of life’s biggest questions—about love, fate, nature, and the moments that transform us. It’s an album that feels both personal and philosophical, with lyrics that can linger in your mind long after the final note fades. There’s a spiritual quality to it—not religious, but reverent toward the unseen forces that shape our lives.
The album opens with the title track, a sonic invitation into Doran’s meditative world. By the time we reach “Clockwork,” the emotional core of the album reveals itself. The song tells a story of anxiety and hope during a medical appointment that could change everything. But instead of spiraling inward, Doran turns the moment outward—toward empathy, toward connection, and ultimately, toward grace.
“Never Say Goodbye,” the album’s lead single, offers a perfect entry point for new listeners. Laced with maritime imagery and folklore, its haunting final line—“God Bless the Now and Evermore”—feels like a blessing in itself. The accompanying video by Josh Wagner visualizes these themes beautifully, echoing Doran’s ability to blend story, sound, and emotion with startling coherence.
Adding to the album’s depth is a short film by Irish director Conor English, shot in the countryside of Westmeath. Featuring stripped-back performances and quiet visuals, the film serves as both companion piece and spiritual mirror to the album. It invites the listener deeper into the landscape—both literal and emotional—that shaped this project.
With All the World is Running on a Mystic Code, Peter Doran has created something more than just a strong addition to his catalogue. He’s offered listeners a refuge—a space to pause, reflect, and remember that even in the quietest of moments, life is happening. And sometimes, that’s when the music matters most.
