New Music: The Anchoress – I Had A Baby Not A Lobotomy feat. Gwenno

An insight into her new LP, the title alone of the latest single from The Anchoress doesn’t pull any punches, but the lyrics will rightfully leave you reeling.

What gives it more impact is how The Anchoress – Welsh multi-instrumentalist and producer Catherine Anne Davies – frames them within such a chilled setting, one that almost verges on ambient as it is smoothly delivered on vintage synths at Townsend Studios, with the song title working as a recurring motif to drive the message of the lyrics home.

The Anchoress is joined by Welsh-Cornish musical icon Gwenno, making the song feel like a conversation between friends where we are allowed to eavesdrop, as both vocalise with sweet, pinpoint precision what women often have to face as mothers.

In fact, Davies describes it as “a tongue in cheek litany of all the stupid things people said to me when I had a baby… an anthem for anyone who has ever been written off for daring to procreate.”

The Anchoress’ forthcoming third studio album, As We Once Were, which will be released on August 7th on ethically-minded record label Last Night From Glasgow. It’s followed by an appearance at the legendary 100 Club in London on the 22nd of August – for news on all that and much more, link up with The Anchoress on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram.

Header photo by JJ Eringa