Bat for Lashes – “Lost Girls” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Bat for Lashes – Lost Girls

Natasha Khan is Bat for Lashes. She has one of the most beautiful voices I have heard in years. Khan lives in Los Angeles, California now, after transplanting from England to pursue an acting career.

Her latest album, Lost Girls, sounds like a glimpse back to the 1980s and the Lost Boys movie soundtrack. That wonderful era of keyboard driven, techno music. I hear a lot of INXS, Duran Duran, the Cure, Gary Newman, and Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, and others throughout this album...and I like it. With Bat for Lashes, it is fresh, and from a female perspective. It is unique and interesting.

“The seed of Lost Girls was actually a script Khan was working on, inspired by ’80s kids movies and ’80s vampire movies”. Lost Girls is the fifth studio album for Bat for Lashes. It was released on 6 September 6^th, 2019.

A trip back to the music of the 1980s…I’m ready!

“Kids in the Dark”, opens with glittering, bright keyboards and then deep long thuds before Natasha Khan sings her first lyrics. She sings, “Lying next to you. Tell me you’re not feeling”. People expressing feelings and taking the time to get to know each other. Slowing the pace of every day life to appreciate the subtleties of life. We all want and need this. Women and men. Perfect start, set to dreamy, soft and elegant keyboard music. Yes, “Let’s take it down, to the heart. Let’s take it down, to where the loving starts. Where we’re just kids in the dark”.

“The Hunger”, opens like the Cure song, “Burn”, taking me right back to The Crow Soundtrack, before Khan takes it in another direction. She sings, “Take a trip. Trip up to the sun I want to fly. You know how I like it. I want to feel, like I’m still alive”. A feeling we all appreciate, at every age. One of the best songs on the album. A powerful fight for life supported well with cool organ – like keys and electronic drumming and deep bass rhythms. Yes, “The hunger inside”. A song that captures that feeling of aging, and the desire to slow down time or appreciate every moment you live.

“Feel for You”, is full of great 80s percussion, a la, Thompson Twins. Khan captures your feelings with music and lyric, “I love ya, I feel for you. Ah ah ah ah oh”. Don’t worry about lyrics on this one, just get up and dance. Wonderful keyboards a la Harold Faltermeyer.

“Desert Man”, is another of my favorite songs on the album. Khan’s voice and lyrics are so poetic, “Measuring the distance between you and I. Finding the location inside. You’ll be in a life while I’m alive. Within the dusty desert sky”. The keyboards are definitive and powerful. The percussion sounds are well placed and full of strength.

“Jasmine”, is one of my favorite songs on the album. It opens with those Faltermeyer – like keyboards and Vanessa Daou – like narration from Khan. It is the perfect match. The tempo and percussion are solid and the keys just sooth. Khan sings, “She drives hard through the doom gloom haze. Legs for days and bones of pearl”.

“Vampires”, is the song that above all, takes you back to the Lost Boys Soundtrack. The music also brings me back to Disintegration era Cure, along with its familiar lead guitar rhythms. Only this song delivers saxophone, like INXS in The Lost Boys Soundtrack. The keys are rich and rewarding on this excellent instrumental. Sit back and turn the sound up loud. Like a perfect trip back to the height of the 1980s. My favorite song on the album.

“So Good”, sounds like a Eurythmics song. Only Khan does not have that royal voice of Annie Lennox. But Khan sings deep and emotionally, highlighting the incredible music supporting her. Khan sings, “Why does it hurt so good. You don’t treat me like you should”. A lot like “Who’s That Girl”, without the other woman.

“Safe Tonight”, is a great love song from Khan. She sings, “It can be hard for me to cry. I thought that I was broken. Until you said, you’re safe tonight”. A vocal driven song with little instrumental support.

“Peach Sky”, has that wonderful percussion I remember from INXS and Duran at the opening. Then Khan sings, “I know it ain’t right. So, I, I want a longer night”. Brings back images of Daou again, she sings this one sensuously and you can’t help enjoying it. The shimmering keys at the end are worth the wait.

“Mountains”, is a cool quiet closer, opening with soft low keys. Then Khan sings, “You know I couldn’t see which way to turn. Fell down at the floor at your feet, begged you let me through. Told you I’m just too afraid to stay here in your arms.
Drop me off the edge of this cliff. And you can watch me crash down. We both know it’s not an easy ride. Sing to me in the dark”. A powerful, lyrical closer full of wonderful support on percussion and keys.

This will be one of my favorite albums of the year I am sure. While bringing back so many memories it also introduced me to a new talented musician, who I hope does not leave the music industry to pursue acting. This album was a wonderful surprise, delivered to me through advertising made to entice me to join their tour opening in Seattle. Very good work and a perfect diversion from what you normally listen to daily. Get it and take a ride with Natasha Khan. The journey will be fun and interesting.

Track List