Released 14 years ago this October
The Haunted Man
Bat for Lashes · 2012
51 min · 11 tracks · dream pop
Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that lingers long after listening.
Top tracks — play these first
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Laura — This track stands out for its poignant narrative about loss and acceptance, showcasing Khan's ability to evoke deep emotion through simplicity.
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All Your Gold — With its driving rhythm and haunting vocals, this song encapsulates the struggle between desire and despair, reflecting the album's overarching themes.
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The Haunted Man — The title track serves as an introspective centerpiece, blending ethereal production with profound lyrical explorations of identity and self-reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends lush sounds with introspective lyrics, creating a distinctive dream pop experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that build on the ethereal quality of the music, particularly in 'Lilies' and 'Laura'.
- The use of sparse instrumentation in tracks like 'Rest Your Head' allows for moments of silence that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- ethereal soundscapes for introspection
- haunting melodies that linger
- emotional depth in each track
- ideal for quiet evening listens
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat dance tracks
- prefer instant gratification sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Haunted Man is Bat for Lashes' third studio album, following the critically acclaimed Two Suns from 2009. At this point in her career, Natasha Khan was solidifying her identity as an artist known for blending lush sounds with poetic storytelling, furthering her exploration of personal themes and emotional vulnerability.
- Stylistic neighbors
- FKA twigs· Lana Del Rey· Florence + the Machine
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Laura
The narrative shifts from reminiscence to a direct address, offering comfort while acknowledging loss.
This transition deepens the emotional impact by creating intimacy between singer and subject, allowing listeners to engage with their own feelings of grief.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lilies 4:47
- 2 All Your Gold 4:32
- 3 Horses of the Sun 4:59
- 4 Oh Yeah 4:56
- 5 Laura 4:26
- 6 Winter Fields 3:42
- 7 The Haunted Man 5:15
- 8 Marilyn 4:35
- 9 A Wall 4:01
- 10 Rest Your Head 4:04
- 11 Deep Sea Diver 6:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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