Artist: Bat For Lashes Album: Fur and Gold

Year: 2006
Duration: 45:23

A deep dive into the gem of an album: Fur and Gold by Bat For Lashes

Bat For Lashes is a British musician and songwriter, born as Natasha Khan. She entered the music world in 2006, with the debut album Fur and Gold, which was critically acclaimed. Fur and Gold is an album that is symbiotically connected to nature and religion, with compelling melodies and mystic lyrics.
Fur and Gold consists of 11 tracks that are a mixture of a ballad, folk, and alternative rock. The album is a homage to the folk-tinged storytelling and the artistic eccentricity of Kate Bush. The album opens with Horse and I, which is a song about self-discovery and the relationship with the natural world. The song features a propelling rhythm with clattering drums and flowing piano tunes, that sets the standard high.
Another standout track on the album is What's a Girl to Do?, a thrilling song imbued with melancholic synth-pop and drumbeats. The song examines the vulnerability that comes with loving somebody and how it changes us. The song's music video highlights Khan riding a bicycle, wearing a superhero-like costume, and leading a pack of wild dogs. It adds a visual dimension to the song's evocative lyrics.
The album's most innovative parts come in the form of “Sarah,” “Sad Eyes,” and “Trophy,” which are low-key tracks. “Sad Eyes” synthesizes the music of Philip Glass and Silver Apples into a beautiful and lonely chorale. The song then embraces the use of a flute solo, which wraps it up with an ethereal feel. Sarah presents an electronic gleam with choral harmonies, and Trophy is blazing with reverb and percussion that merges the sounds of clapping hands.
Fur and Gold is more than just a collection of beautiful songs; it is an experience. Khan's voice weaves around poetic lyrics and poignant electric sounds. While living in Pakistan, Khan visited Sufi shrines, which gave her insight into the music she still draws from today. Her exploration of Eastern roots and ancient stories blends seamlessly with Western styles and sounds.
Fur and Gold is a radiant and intriguing album, featuring a mix of poetic lyrics, experimental beats, and wistful melodies. The album introduces Khan as both a songwriter and an artist, whose work is at once deeply resonant and enigmatically unique. It is not just an album to listen to, but to pay attention to, grow with, and cherish. It is a must-listen album for anyone who loves music and desires something new and soulful.