[rating:81/100]
Bat For Lashes, aka Natasha Khan, returns on April 6th with her sophomore album, Two Suns, a record of such incredible depth and beauty that it has taken me the best part of a month (just ask Luis if you don’t believe me) to work this out; it’s going to delight and disappoint fans of Fur & Gold in equal measure. Sorry for the anti climax! On the plus side, fans of Natasha’s Mercury Prize Nominated Fur & Gold will feel spoilt for choice with the heartrendingly nihilistic vignettes they’ve come to expect from her. Unfortunately, if fans were expecting a lean towards a more accessible album and for Natasha to get the credit she deserves as an incredible songwriter in album sales, they’ll be bitterly disappointed. Of course, this fact is hard to get upset about juxtaposed next to Natasha proclaiming that “Crying took me to the darkest place/And you have set fire to my heart”. OK, OK; seems like she might have bigger fish to fry than whether vacuous 14 year old girls are going to be bopping around to her songs at their rubbish parties. Her heart’s on fire, for god’s sake! And from the general mood of the album, I get the sense that it’s not in a Cut Copy-ish “Yeah, my heart’s on fire, dude!!!” type of way…
The album begins its reign of terror with “Glass“. Natasha’s tenderly sung introduction lures you in, before pounding drums herald the beginning of a claustrophobic and frustrated song. When she shrieks the chorus though, it’s almost triumphant, as if she’s enjoying it. Listen upon listen, however, quickly turn claustrophobia and frustration into a strangely alluring pop song.
It’s a story that’s repeated throughout the album, leading to an album that’s full of gloriously dark and twisted song about love and loss, all interpreted in their own unique way. What really strikes is how this is a true album with a central theme, not just a collection of chart hopefuls, whilst still managing to avoid being samey or mundane. Much credit for this must go to relatively unknown Producer David Kosten, a DJ who brings his electro buzzes and bangs to her songs when needed, and leaves Natasha to realize things as she would herself in equal measure. The result is a brilliantly weighted album with 11 coherent but simultaneously entirely different songs that all capture the imagination and stir up emotion in different ways.
First single “Daniel” is the unequaled highlight of the album. Yes, it’s about heartbreak, but it rumbles along with a hip-snapping beat, constantly buoyed by Natasha’s catchy lyrics that make it somewhat danceable. A Bat For Lashes first? Quite possibly. Elsewhere, “Pearl’s Dream” is a likely contender for single #2 thanks to a concoction of hand claps, violins and, of course, a vocal refrain that’s impossible to ignore. “Good Love” is a heart wrenchingly beautiful song, giving the impression that whatever it was that Natasha was looking for, she’s found it. She gives the impression of this acquiescence by giving up the furiously urgent lyrical style of the rest of the album, instead opting for a laid back spoken-word style. But oh, she’s on fire again! “Your house set fire to my heart”. You get the impression though, that this time, as the song ambles along at a pleasant pace, it’s a good type of metaphorical fire.
Bat For Lashes has succeeded in creating a brilliantly confusing and unpigeonhole-able album that is welcome relief from the easy going but unrewarding U2-ish standard pop songs. Two Suns is constantly challenging; a fascinating enigma that will embroil many great minds in trying to unravel the psyche of one of pop’s most riveting performers. Besides scoring intellectual or emotional points, she has also crafted some of the most hauntingly brilliant pop songs this side of Bjork. Confounding, terrifying and impossible to resist; only one thing’s for sure, Bat For Lashes is on fire!
Phil Gwyn is a guest-blogger here at PMA. Read his other thoughts on music at his blog, Not Many Experts
Tags: Album Reviews, Bat For Lashes
pretty much impossible, thanks!
Absolutely Redwin, it must be listened to in its full glory! That said, even after a few listens I wasn’t completely convinced about most of the album, it certainly takes a lot of listening.
Also, the reviews were of MPP and It’s Blitz were other people writing, so you can’t really compare the three scores. (For me, MPP would have got 9 at least)
Thanks for the kind words Frank.
It definitely does Redwin. Listen to it in its entirety.
Nice review Phil, although I disagree with the rating. While certainly not bad, 8.1 seems really high for an album that feels like an overproduced Enya record (if that’s possible) with a drum machine behind it.
In my opinion, this record doesn’t touch Meriweather or It’s Blitz! yet it’s rated in the same league as MPP and higher than the YYYs. Surprising. Maybe it’s like Jack said… must be experienced from front to back.
8.1 out of 10 bulbs? Damn. That seems a little inflated. Maybe 7ish.
Love the new lightbulbs!
Easily one of the best album of 2009 … epic! Must be experienced from start to finish… not just 3 songs. Trust me. It’s an amazing ride.
i still like Its Blitz more than this one. This one is good for a few ZZZs
Oh look, Bats for Lashes wrote a song about me.
Loved this album personal. My favorite of the year so far.
decent album, got nothing on Veckatimest (where is the Veckatimest review?!). Which is album of the year hands down , screw MPP!
This is one of the best album reviews I’ve read on PMA to date! Great job, you were really into it and I like that in a review. Lots of passion.
Personally, I could only get into a couple of songs on this album (mostly the 3 on the player), but I understand that this album is one of the more fully-realized albums out this year.