Don’t let the startlingly simple piano melody of this song fool you; Laura is vocally strong, packed with emotion, and beautifully written to tell the gripping tale of a woman presumably scorned by the rest of the world.
Can you visualize the ripped nylons and tarnished black mascara?
This new single from Bat for Lashes emits a sound that is eloquently simple in a lot of ways, with its humble piano starting the song delicately and repetitively almost to the point of sounding like a lullaby. In the same way, the elegant and light vocals begin in a whispered tone, as the singer murmurs empathetically to the heroine of the song. To Laura, whoever she is. The vocals grow in intensity, transforming from broken and cracked to heart wrenchingly commanding as the chorus comes about. Meanwhile, the piano builds into a steady and supportive accompaniment to help the singer in her attempt to pull this mysterious Laura out of her funk.
Bat for Lashes is the stage persona of English musician Natasha Khan, who has been a notable and recognized musician since 2009, and “Laura” is the first single from her upcoming third album, The Haunted Man, out next month.
While Laura, the titular character, is clearly worse for wear, Khan is not. Within this song, she stands openhearted and vulnerable, with only a mournful piano as reinforcement. It is not an easy feat, but she manages to display both her strength and her fragility at the same time. Khan stands solo and allows the beautiful vibrato of her voice to resonate with the listener. You will surely find the same talent and bravery in each of her songs.
Bat for Lashes’ new album will be set loose in October. In the meantime, though, listen to “Laura” over and over again and let Khan soothe and console you.
The opening lines sound a lot like Lennon's Working Class Hero. So much so, it sounds like an interpolation.