Bat for Lashes’ latest effort, Two Suns, might as well be named 10 Suns, one for every world you enter during the enchanting 49 minutes. My first impression of Bat for Lashes, or Natasha Khan, was for her freaky Donnie Darko-inspired video for “Whats a Girl To Do.” While that song was interesting, layering the pains of a heartbroken lover over a spooky Friday-the-13th-esque tune, Khan has broadened her horizons with Two Suns.
Thirty seconds into the first track, Glass, she beckons us to come join her on a quest to find “him who my soul loveth.” With driving tribal drumbeats I am inspired to don a sword and spear to aid Khan in this quest. Harkening back to a most ancient Love story, Glass inspires and invigorates. I can see and smell the dust kicked up as sandaled feet cover the rocky desert, looking for her beloved. This search for a lover sets the tone for the many adventures to be had on this record.
Two tracks later, Khan has not found her mate. The beautifully solemn Moon and Moon calls to her lover yet the warrior mentality does not leave. She laments, “Lover when you don’t lay with me, I’m a huntress for a husband lost at sea.” Beautifully longing words are laid out over a twinkling piano. This is not a needy, whiny girl, but the same fierce persona from Glass who longs to have her soul touched by the one she loves. In Daniel, perhaps the record’s standout track, syrupy synth melodies take us back to when she first met her lover. I can’t help thinking of the 80s, karate chops, and the beach when she describes her time with Daniel. And perhaps in a shout-out to Mr. Miyagi and Co., Khan reminisces about “marble movie skies.”
Just when you are catching your breath from the sweet memories on Daniel, we are dragged into the Tennessee woods for an olde tyme revival. Using a rusty guitar and a choir, Peace of Mind changes the tone from a legendary quest to a search for something else. We see a heart that breaks and desires to be a “mother for this childless world.” After we get a glimpse of her sweet soul that breaks for this world, she shares a darker side. The dilemma we all must face as we try to love one another is that we are incapable. She is aware of her innate wickedness saying “Ill love you the best way I know how… try not to let you down… till the siren come calling, calling…” The siren she speaks of is our natural fleshy call to be selfish and unloving. Upon a building piano score that evolves into a euphoric drum explosion, Khan explains the human condition beautifully yet leaves us with no conclusions.
All hope is not lost however, Good Love reminds us that there is a perfection to yearn for. “Good love, passed it last night in a dream/good love, and my heart caught fire.” And I don’t believe this is the “good lovin” the Rascals sang about 40 years ago. It is a spirit-completing love, one that we are lucky to get a glimpse of… but then how often it “disappears as quickly as it came.“
The ethereal tones continue, floating softly by as Khan questions whether this Love can exist. She cautions in Traveling Woman: “hold on to your plan/cause it will come back to you/before you lose it on the man.” Has she given up hope of this great prize? This seems to be the helpless conclusion in The Big Sleep as the haunting piano ballad asks: “how can it be the last show?” The gloomy backup vocals of Scott Walker chill to the core as the song shuts out all chance with Khan slipping away into the bleakness saying “goodbye my dear and into the big sleep.”
On the iTunes bonus track, Wilderness, a hopeful epilogue is added. After the chilling Phantom-Of-The-Opera curtain close in The Big Sleep, the search is back on as Khan calls to “come join me in flight.” Perhaps to yet another world? To experience the call of the human spirit? To find Love?
At the end of this album, we are still searching. Past Two Suns, Two Planets, and many eras, we follow Khan on an endless journey. It is evident she (like all of us) longs to be loved and to find completeness in another. From the start it is evident this will not be easy as we strap on our leather boots to hunt for a lover in Glass. This is a tale of the human tragedy, trying to find fulfillment in one another. Bat for Lashes issues a strong album here, digging in to one of our basic needs. Sadly, it goes unresolved. However I look forward to future expeditions with Khan leading the way.
Perhaps we will test new waters, waters that will not leave us thirsty.
