The Dream of Delphi by Bat for Lashes

The Dream of Delphi by Bat for Lashes (Natasha Khan) is the kind of album that feels like you’re tiptoeing through a dream—just make sure you didn’t hit the snooze button. Inspired by motherhood, particularly the birth of Khan’s daughter, Delphi, this record is as introspective as a 3 a.m. diaper change and almost as hushed.

Khan, known for her ethereal soundscapes and narrative-driven albums, strips things back on her sixth studio outing. Gone are the cinematic sci-fi biker gangs from Lost Girls, replaced by a gentler, more meditative approach. It’s like moving from an 80s movie marathon to a calming nature documentary. The album plays with ambient textures, dreamy piano, and harp, with tracks like “The Midwives Have Left” and “Her First Morning” heavy on atmosphere, light on lyrics—kind of like if you were to make a soundtrack for staring out the window while your baby naps.

But before you start thinking this is all lullabies and lull in energy, Khan does sneak in some beautiful melodies. The title track is a standout, mixing harp with an undercurrent of synths that swirl like a soft breeze. Home, one of the few poppier moments, surprises with a steady beat, though it feels like a bit of an outlier in this mostly gauzy, reflective landscape.

Thematically, the album is all about motherhood, and Khan is unashamedly sincere about it. Tracks like “At Your Feet” feature delicate cooing and sparse, introspective lyrics that reflect her new perspective. If you’ve ever wondered what it sounds like when someone turns maternal awe into music, this is it. The only downside? At just over half an hour long, it can feel a bit underdeveloped, with more focus on mood than songcraft.

In terms of cohesiveness, The Dream of Delphi is more like a quiet meditation session than a full-blown narrative journey. It doesn’t have the eclectic bursts of energy found in earlier works, but that’s clearly by design—this is an album about finding beauty in stillness and simplicity.

Ultimately, this is a record for fans who enjoy the soft, ambient side of Bat for Lashes’ discography. It won’t be for everyone—if you’re looking for bangers or bold pop moments, you might want to revisit her earlier albums. But if you’re in the mood for an album that feels like a tender, personal lullaby from Khan’s heart to yours, The Dream of Delphi is a poignant listen, though it may leave some listeners longing for a bit more spark.