By Gemma Brosnan – In the big apple

BAT FOR LASHES took Bowery Ballroom by storm last night, in a New York performance supporting the sophomore album, ‘Two Suns’.

The beautifully gifted British singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Natasha Khan, delved deep into her elaborate worlds, showcasing a blond personification of herself by the name of Pearl -“a destructive, self-absorbed, blonde, femme fatale" - against her own mystical, deeper and much more brunette self.

Joined by ex-Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, multi-instrumentalist Ben Christophers and New Young Pony Club drummer, Sarah Jones, the set was an epic, beat-driven climax, setting off Khan’s voice against rolling thunderclouds of tribal, pulsing beats and  lashings of sizzling keyboards, coming off like a coy and cosmic mix of Scott Walker, Tori Amos, and Stevie Nicks.

It was a glittering return for Khan, who counts Radiohead, Bjork and MIA among her many fans and also Brooklyn ethno-hipsters Yeasayer, who make an appearance on her latest concept album which is another stimulating effort.

Visually breathtaking, the bold, eclectic selection showcased Khan’s vocal diversity, ranging from torch ballads to delicacy and percussion-heavy explosions, confirming that those seeking to rival her, have a long way to go to match not only Khan’s talented originality, but her purely unrestrained musical ambition.