Catching my Attention with A Bat of her Lashes

I always support female singer songwriters, especially those who have unique voices, lyrics, aesthetics, and artistic concepts. So, if like me, you cannot escape the allure of Fiona Apple, Lykke Li, Cat Power, Kate Bush or even Regina Specktor, than you should check out Bat For Lashes.

I first listened to Bat For Lashes about two years ago after hearing that a friend's boyfriend had written a magazine piece on her. Some of the songs on her debut album Fur and Gold, like What's a Girl to Do?, Horse and I, Prescilla, and I'm on Fire, really stuck with me, but it is her new album Two Suns that has truly gotten my attention.

Two Suns is a mature album that musically illustrates the uniqueness of this up and coming singer songwriter. From this point on Natasha Khan will be know as much for her music as she is for her elaborate eye make-up and her feathery, sequenced covered headdresses.









The album is signature Bat for Lashes, but also extremely diverse and eclectic. The tracks Sleep Alone and Moon to Moon incorporate Khan's delicate and haunting vocals with simple and precise percussion and piano, while the track Peace of Mind utilizes raspy gospel for a musical twist. The tracks Glass and Siren's Song encapsulate the enchanting combination of mysticism and earthiness that define the entire album, and then there is Daniel, which is definitely the album's most commercial and upbeat track, and a more than welcomed digression . It is one of my favorite songs and the fact that it was written about the Karate Kid can only make you like it more. It also comes with a quirky dance video inspired by old boxing movies, and the mixing of love and hate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhGr2rrYdn8. The video for the track Pearl's Dream reminds me of a 80s mystical wolf t-shirt, the kind that remains popular with skinny hipster boys and high school kids who spend their days reading lord or the rings, playing dungeons and dragons, and watching their new favorite TV show Merlin. In other words I like the video a lot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jfxm4ywN4s




Fans and critics agree that there is quite a lot to like about Bat For Lashes, but you must listen in order to decide for yourself: does her sound catch your ear, do her lashes catch your eye, or is it her overall musical and aesthetic appeal that catches your attention?
-Toko