The Anchoress returns with a baby, not a lobotomy, for her third album

Five years on from her superb 2021 album ‘The Art of Losing‘, The Anchoress returns following the birth of her first child with a new album and single. ‘As We Once Were’ is the title of her third studio album, slated for release on the 7th August. It’ll be a 14-track album that embraces the sound of vintage analogue synthesisers, provided by The Who’s Pete Townshend. Whilst her firstborn propels the narrative of the lead single, the album was also sparked by discovering a long-lost cassette tape of her grandmother in her mum’s attic. Thinking about the four generations, The Anchoress (Catherine Anne Davies) was inspired to think about how we can hand down generational wisdom and build a future with their essence still contained within it.

The passing down of wisdom can also be applied to versions of yourself, too. Can you ever be the same version of yourself again? That drives the narrative of the groovy and mildly ethereal single ‘I Had A Baby Not A Lobotomy’. Gwenno provides guest vocals as The Anchoress reels off stupid things people said to her when she had a baby. Lyrically, it’s sending up the “drink water” mentality. Sonically, it’s propelled by smooth vocals, airy synths, hues of electric guitar borrowed from an ambient post-rock soundtrack, and a lack of bass. It is dreamlike, and the synths are retro in a way that feels both early 70’s and mid 90’s at the same time. It feels like the song is a blow to the head with cotton wool.

‘I Had A Baby Not A Lobotomy’ is out now. The album is available for pre-order on vinyl, CD, and cassette at Last Night From Glasgow. An album launch show takes place in London on 22nd August.

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