On The Dream Of Delphi, Bat For Lashes’ Natasha Khan summons us into her private world, sharing the joys and challenges of motherhood while offering a sanctuary of sound that reflects the dualities of life.
Bat For Lashes, led by the enigmatic Natasha Khan, has always been a vessel for transporting listeners to otherworldly places. Known for albums populated by characters like Laura, Daniel, and The Bride, Khan's latest album, The Dream Of Delphi, is a bit of a shift. The record is an ode to her daughter, Delphi, and the transformative experience of early motherhood.
Made in Khan’s adopted home of Los Angeles during the tumultuous times of the pandemic, The Dream Of Delphi captures a duality: the external chaos of a world in flux and the intensely personal, serene moments of new motherhood. Named after the Greek oracle, Delphi, this album is a litany of ten song poems that chronicle Khan's life and emotions during this period.
Described as an “ode to motherhood,” the album was conceived during the first two years of Delphi's life. Khan found sanctuary in her music, writing each track in quick, improvisational sessions. The result is a deeply personal, diary-like collection that documents her journey. And for the first time, Khan's songwriting turns inward, exploring her own life rather than external narratives. This creates a more intimate mythology around the music. Tracks like “The Midwives Have Left” and “Letter To My Daughter” offer glimpses into the early, life-expanding moments of motherhood, blending the magical and sometimes melancholic essence of this new chapter.
Musically, The Dream Of Delphi weaves an ambient, womb-like sound that envelops the listener. While it departs from the narrative-driven structures of her previous albums, this one still pulses with Khan's signature dream pop sensibilities. Collaborating with Brad Oberhofer, harpist Mary Lattimore, and Jack Falby, Khan has created something here that’s both sweeping yet intimately personal.
Bat For Lashes’ previous albums thrived on their otherworldly characters and stories, but The Dream Of Delphi stands out because it looks inward. It not only solidifies her place as a storyteller but also as a deeply introspective artist unafraid to explore the most personal aspects of her life through music.