Album Review: Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Bat for Lashes is the rather odd pseudonym belonging to Miss. Natasha Khan, a fairytale songstress from Brighton who counts Radiohead and M.I.A amongst her array of fans. In 2007, Khan gained a Mercury Music Prize nomination for her debut album, ‘Fur and Gold’, a mystical record which detailed everything from wizard’s blood to galloping horses.
I’m happy to say that Bat for Lashes’ second record, ‘Two Suns’ – described as a recipe of “modern-day fables exploring dualities on a number of levels – two lovers, two planets, two sides of a personality” – is as similarly magical as said debut.
From the exotic instrumentation on captivating album-opener ‘Glass’ to the dreamy vocals evident on tracks like ‘Moon and Moon’, ‘Two Suns’ picks up it’s listener and drops them into a misty musical world that brims with wizardly enchantment.
‘Daniel’, Bat for Lashes’ current single, is a beautifully ambient number, bounding with trippy synths and appropriately colourful lyrics “And when the fires came/The smell of cinders and rain/Perfumed almost everything/We laughed and laughed and laughed”. Meanwhile, ‘Pearl’s Dream’ – titled after Khan’s “destructive, self-absorbed, blonde, femme fatale ” alter-ego – showcases 80s-esque electro beats that are beautifully coated by Khan’s trademark spiritual sound.
‘Siren Song’ and ‘Good Love’ are perfectly pure ambience, while the epic ‘Travelling Woman’ is an expressive and incredibly moving Kate Bush stylee ballad that very nearly steals the show.
The album comes to a close with ‘The Big Sleep’. This beautiful, yet tragic song showcases a fleeting duet between Natasha and 60s legend Scott Walker, his voice briefly peeping through the dramatic piano and Khan’s haunting wails of “and already my voice is fading/goodbye my dear”.
This CD is a truly magical experience from start to finish. Following on from her Mercury Music Prize nomination 2 years ago, Khan has come back strong – with a record that shall astound and inspire to boot.
‘Two Suns’ is out now. You can own the CD now for just £7.98 over on Amazon.
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