Fur and Gold

iTunes Review

This debut by Bat for Lashes introduced the world to singer Natasha Khan, whose heavenly, luminescent voice visits places at once familiar and intangible. Her music evokes shimmering things that live in the dark, like candlelight, or rays of sun piercing the heart of a thick forest. Though it can pack an emotional punch, it feels somehow delicate and vulnerable. Fans of PJ Harvey, Cat Power or even Portishead will find many delights on Fur and Gold, and she wears influences like Kate Bush and Tori Amos outwardly. Fur and Gold is dazzling in its range and complexity; there are winsome harpsichords and strings, sensual tapestries of autoharp and percussion, bewitching piano, and her voice purrs, soars and trills with ease. Lyrically, there’s a bit of the naïve, mystical teenager at work, but it’s sporadic; don’t let that deter you. The stunning central track, “What’s a Girl To Do?” has big, Phil Spector drums, glittering tambourines, and Khan’s incredible voice, revisiting ‘60s girl-group heartbreak. It’s a fantastic pop song on its own, but surrounded by the other finery of Fur and Gold, it sparkles like a rare gem in very good company.