It’s been while since a modern singer has hit me in that mythological / metaphorical / emotional sweetspot that Bat For Lashes’ Natasha Khan has so easily done. Perhaps the last time was on Bjork’s Homogenic, and more recently in rediscovering Kate Bush and The Cocteau Twins.  While i maintain some reservations when a contemporary artist uses the trappings of previous and like minded artists; synth washes, synthetic tribalish drums, sweeping grand metaphors, etc – Ms. Khan takes those sounds and by merit of her songcraft and own unique vision blends and warps them into something contemporary and unique.

Tracks Glass and Daniel are the immediate winners giving fans what they’ve come to expect from a Bat for Lashes track, sultry, fantastical, vocals rolling over a background of watercolor synths and propulsive yet understated drums. But where Two Suns really shines is in it’s periphery tracks. Songs like Moon and Moon and Siren Song burn with dark intensity illustrating Khan’s romantic introspection through her high concept alter-ego Pearl. While closing duet with Scott Walker is the summation of her intentions to create a fully realized conceptual album.

There isn’t a weak track on Two Suns, and it’s a testimate to her skills that while some of her textures are referential to her influences, she never resorts to simple idol warship at the very worst she channels some of greatest voices and hearts of her millleu, at the very best she’s creating stunningly new emotional landscapes.