The Dream of Delphi – Bat for Lashes

Year	Album	Artist	Stars	Score	Genre
2024	The Dream of Delphi	Bat for Lashes	★★½	59	Pop	Chamber Pop

Bat for Lashes’ sixth record, The Dream of Delphi, doesn’t offer much substance in terms of hooks or through melodies. However, the ethereal and emotional production is breathtaking throughout the album. Haunting backing synths and choirs, calming piano progressions, sax and MIDI riffs, and Natasha Khan’s vocalizing create soundscapes that evoke the natural world.

“Home,” one of the record’s singles, is the most memorable track, featuring a catchy, understated refrain and a piano progression that sweeps you up. The fuzzy, melodic synth bass on “Delphi Dancing” is also a charming standout.

Overall, the record leans more towards vocalizing as mood music, rather than the catchy, emotional, and upbeat chamber pop songs Khan has produced in the past. Nevertheless, as a concept and a tribute to her child, it’s more thoughtful and consistently executed than any of her works since 2012’s The Haunted Man. Its short runtime makes it an easy listen as well.