Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Mon 20th Apr, 2009 in Music Reviews

The striking 2006 debut for Bat for Lashes, Fur & Gold, placed the band’s brains, body and voice, Natasha Khan, firmly in the consciousness of the music public. The release even earned much-coveted Brit and Mercury Prize nominations that year. Fans of her fragile, synthesised folk-pop sound have had to wait three years for the follow-up, an album which, even on its initial spin, points to a Bat for Lashes that has honed her craft and made a convincing step forward.

Two Suns is a concept album of sorts – an exploration, as the title might suggest, in duality. Partially written in her hometown of Brighton and in New York, and recorded with the help of guests Yeasayer and Scott Walker, the record presents both Khan and Khan’s alter-ego – the blonde “femme fatale” late-night party girl Pearl.

Khan’s feminine voice and moody music evokes the obvious modern-day songstress similarities like Bjork ( Two Planets ), Cat Power and PJ Harvey ( Peace of Mind ). But these comparisons are unnecessary for someone who sits so comfortably within her own musical landscape. With Fur & Gold, Bat for Lashes had already carved out her own trademark style – a haunting and subtly organic folkish sound, structured and held together by loose beats, and carried by her ethereal and at times achingly beautiful voice.

Two Suns is more cohesive than her acclaimed debut, its songs oscillating between pared-back ballads and tribal electronica. Although it could hardly be described as “pop”, the album does contain more up-tempo moments. Khan’s breathy and pitched vocals set off a distinct Fleetwood Mac-flavour in Daniel, while a light beat forms the undercurrent to the moody Sleep Alone. But the composition is still dense in her quieter and slower moments, especially on definite album highlight Siren Song, which uses minimal instrumentation, yet has a rich and dense sound which builds over an echoing reverb and explodes in a cascade of drums in the song’s final minute.

Happily, Khan’s heavenly voice is explored to its full range in this album. Arguably her greatest musical instrument, her vocals hum and crescendo with ease. It’s especially evident in the stunning opening track Glass, which sees Khan taking a sparse tribal-infused ballad and build it to a powerfully ethereal peak; or the lilting chorus of piano ballad Moon and Moon. Like any good concept album, Two Suns gradually journeys to an inevitable finish, fading out with the appropriately titled duet The Big Sleep.

Following up from such a strong first album can be a challenge, but Bat for Lashes has managed to exceed expectations. Two Suns showcases a more mature and more intelligent musician, one which has proved herself with her depth and obvious talent.

Two Suns is out now through Parlophone.