The Bride
by Bat for Lashes
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 5, 2016
    60
    Khan is exceptionally good at dream worlds--The Bride chews over her love and its loss in a series of hovering, swelling ballads that somehow do not cloy.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 1, 2016
    60
    And yet for all this effort the album itself is at times curiously empty, both overblown and underwhelming, with loads of smoke but not much atmosphere.
  3. The Skinny
    Jun 27, 2016
    60
    At times perhaps overly conceptual--Honeymooning Alone needlessly hammers the point home--The Bride also lacks more standout cuts to truly make it soar. There’s nevertheless plenty to appreciate here; just don’t expect much in the way of wedding playlist material.
  5. Pretty Much Amazing
    Jul 5, 2016
    58
    There are over-arching problems here: the lyricism that doesn’t relate to anyone except the singer, which is especially troubling on the mostly lyric-driven “Widow’s Peak”; the lack of color from the lugubrious and minimalistic approach (excepting the vocal shading of “Joe’s Dream” and the Western-tinged “Honeymooning Alone”); the dearth of melodies, make the relatively short album get wearying over time, especially when you add the too-pristine production.
  6. Boston Globe
    Jul 1, 2016
    50
    Further songs follow suit, rarely deviating from verse-chorus-verse-chorus rigor. The upbeat “Sunday Love” breaks that mold with its rhythmically catchy verse and earworm chorus, which almost hides the fact that the song--about the would-be bride seeing a girl everywhere she goes--repeats the album’s most common problem: It’s unclear just what the song is about, and how it relates to the core concept.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 50
  3. Negative: 4 out of 50
  1. longjetty7
    Jul 4, 2016
    6
    I think in some ways this album is a step forward for Bat for Lashes, while in other ways it's a step backward.

    I'll start with the good:    I think in some ways this album is a step forward for Bat for Lashes, while in other ways it's a step backward.

    I'll start with the good: Her voice sounds as beautiful as always. It's always a treat to hear her sing with so much emotion, and she really delivers on each and every song. The production is subtle, yet surprisingly intricate. Songs like Widow's Peak demand you listen with headphones, or you'll miss so much of what's going on. The music is very atmospheric and sort of ambient, but it's crafted with care and much attention to detail, which I certainly appreciate.

    And now the not so good: As with many other concept albums, The Bride starts off with interesting material, but eventually stretches its concept too thin. After a while it seems like some of the songs were written out of necessity, just to stick with the whole wedding concept. There are lots of slow, ethereal songs, which make sense in context of the story, but in terms of enjoyability for the listener, they really make the album drag on, especially in the back half. It's a bit disappointing because I know Bat for Lashes can write amazing songs when she wants to. Joe's Dream is stunningly beautiful, and Sunday Love is catchy as hell, but these standout tracks sort of feel misplaced amongst the others. I really wish she had kept the energy going throughout the entire album, and had focused more attention on making the music interesting (such as In God's House), rather than just repeating the same simple motifs over and over again, as she does on many of the slower songs.

    Overall, The Bride is kind of a mixed bag. There are some beautiful moments and a lot of artistry which I can respect, but I do feel like there was potential for this album to be so much better.    … Full Review »
  2. RGHunter
    Sep 11, 2019
    9
    This in fact my least favorite album from Natasha, yeah it's beautiful, but i wouldn't play some of the tracks again by myself unless theyThis in fact my least favorite album from Natasha, yeah it's beautiful, but i wouldn't play some of the tracks again by myself unless they come up random on my playlist cuz they're too repetitive to match the whole concept and it gets tired.
    In God's House, Sunday Love, Close Encounters & In Your Bed are the Highlights for me.    … Full Review »
  3. MarceloPandlr
    Jun 17, 2018
    10
    bat for lashes is a legend of alternative
    i love you queen
    comeback please!!
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