Atmospheric, dramatic, baroque arrangements, quasi-medieval textures, middle eastern tinges, electronic pop, synthesizers, disco, gothic epilogues, jagging pounding tribal percussion, gospel choirs, and to top it off a prudent inclusion of judicious handclapping. It’s all here on this tour de force by Natasha Khan’s Bat For Lashes’ second release ‘Two Suns’. Notable influences here are Kate Bush, Bjork and Fleetwood Mac. Her intention was apparently to explore dualities on a number of levels through modern day fables, a rather ambitious attempt to say the least. With such high ambition obviously the results are a rather hit and miss affair; thankfully it’s more of the former and less of the latter. The opener ‘Glass’ is stunning and could come from any Bjork album superimposed with tribal beats. Highlights of the album come from her alto ego Pearl with the truly outstanding electronic pop songs of Daniel and Pearl’s Dream. Some of the ballads here are rich in layers and beautiful to listen to; however, a few of the piano led ballads fail to leave much of a lasting impression and when she appears to venture into banshee wailing it really is quite a trial. The epilogue, a duet with the reclusive star Scott Walker, is just plain bizarre but somehow appears to work! Natasha Khan is undoubtedly a great and exciting talent who has just raised the bar for those who dare to follow.
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