At the heart of Bat for Lashes’s captivating visual for “At Your Feet” lie the intricate movements of lead vocalist Natasha Khan’s hands. Twisting, pressing, and swirling, these gestures form a “language of movement” that Khan meticulously crafted from her daily experiences as a mother. It’s a subtle yet potent representation of the album’s overarching themes of motherhood, ancestry, spirituality, and the ephemeral. The record, named after Khan’s daughter, Delphi, is infused with the intensity of their bond, forged during the isolation of the pandemic. This profound intimacy seeps into the album’s lyrics, while the ethereal synths and organs create a timeless atmosphere, transcending the boundaries of space and time. This spirit permeates the video for “At Your Feet,” released recently. Khan says, “It’s really about connecting with the old me—a solitary performer, in the belly of these woods.” The forest, with its mystical qualities, serves as a backdrop for transformation, reflecting Khan’s sleepless nights caring for her child. Khan’s ability to elevate the mundane into something epic extends beyond the album. She has created a full-length film, a surrealist novella, and a hand-illustrated tarot deck centered on the Motherwitch archetype, a mythical figure inspired by her own experiences of motherhood. These projects interweave and inform each other, forming a cohesive artistic vision. In her own words, Khan describes the origins of the album: “It was all kind of happening simultaneously, and growing at the same time. I’ve also written a surrealist novella, and created the Motherwitch deck, so all three bodies of work were kind of feeding into each other. They’re all informed by motherhood, and when Delphi was a baby especially, they kind of all jumped out of me in these different forms, but they are all different faces of one coin.” The Motherwitch deck serves as an archetypal character embodying the lessons and wisdom Khan has gained through motherhood and her artistic journey. It offers a framework for nurturing creativity and inner growth. “The Motherwitch is something more generous, like you’re attending the Motherwitch school and I’m the headmistress,” Khan explains. The album, on the other hand, is a more personal and intimate exploration of her relationship with Delphi, while the novella delves into the themes of healing, matriarchy, and ancestral lineage. Khan’s pregnancy during lockdown had a profound impact on her creative process. She felt a sense of protection and connection in bringing Delphi into the world. This spiritual awakening inspired her to create a body of work that celebrates the transformative power of motherhood and highlights the boundless capacity for love within humanity. As Khan explains, “It was almost like I had woken up from a kind of amnesia, and it broke me open in a way I wasn’t expecting. I felt this overwhelming spiritual awakening, where I wasn’t just connected to Delphi, but by being inside of me, and by birthing her, she was like a conduit to this sacred place.” The album’s creation unfolded organically, with Khan embracing the flow of creativity. “I think the greatest moments for any writer or musician or creative person are those moments where you’re almost not even in the room, it’s just flowing through,” she says. The instrumentation also reflects this improvisational approach, utilizing the eclectic collection of vintage synthesizers and effects pedals available in the studio. Khan’s voice serves as the unifying element, transcending the boundaries of time and creating a timeless soundscape. “I like what you’re saying about incantations too, because I feel like the voice is really the glue that holds all these different eras of instruments together, and gives that overall impression of it existing in a sort of timeless space,” Khan observes. The Motherwitch costume, with its intricate crocheted details and symbolic imagery, represents a heightened version of the mother archetype. It embodies the strength and vulnerability of motherhood, embracing both the nurturing and animalistic aspects of the experience. Alexandra Green, the choreographer and art director, collaborated with Khan to develop a “language of movement” inspired by Khan’s daily routines as a mother. These mundane gestures were transformed into “devotional moving mantras,” paying homage to the wisdom of midwives and the ancient traditions surrounding childbirth. The costumes worn throughout the visual projects draw inspiration from various cultures and time periods, creating a fusion of ancient and modern elements. The white pleather dress in the “At Your Feet” video, with its Western influences and puff sleeves, evokes a sense of both modernity and antiquity. Khan’s goal was to create costumes that resonated with the album’s exploration of ancient cultural and religious aspects while grounding them in the present day. The synergy between the album, film, novella, and tarot deck showcases Bat for Lashes’s artistic prowess and her ability to translate deeply personal experiences into captivating and thought-provoking works of art.
Bat for Lashes Unveils ‘At Your Feet’ Visual, Explores Motherhood and Spirituality on Upcoming Album
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