Welsh singer-songwriter The Anchoress, also known as Catherine Anne Davies, has made a powerful return with her latest single 'I Had a Baby Not A Lobotomy,' featuring fellow artist Gwenno. The track serves as a bold statement against the stereotypes and assumptions faced by new mothers, particularly those in creative fields.
Davies revealed that the song emerged from her personal experiences after the birth of her daughter. "I started keeping a list on my phone of all the ridiculous things people would say to me," she explained. "From suggestions that my touring days were over to assumptions that motherhood would somehow mellow my personality—it was a constant stream of outdated clichés."
Contrary to these expectations, Davies found that becoming a mother had a radicalizing effect. "Motherhood didn't soften my edges; it sharpened my perspective," she stated. "I discovered how many systems surrounding parenting remain deeply regressive, from unequal parental leave policies to the financial pressures that require both parents to work full-time just to get by."
The single arrives as the lead track from her upcoming album 'As We Once Were,' set for release in August. This marks her first full-length project since 2021's critically acclaimed 'The Art of Losing.' Davies described the new album as her "most sonically adventurous" work to date, drawing inspiration from synth-pop pioneers like Depeche Mode while maintaining her signature lyrical depth.
Davies, who has previously collaborated with Manic Street Preachers, emphasized that her experiences reflect a broader societal issue. "So many of my friends thought we'd achieved gender equality until they became parents," she noted. "The reality is that we still have a long way to go, especially for freelance workers who lack basic protections that employed parents take for granted."
'I Had a Baby Not A Lobotomy' stands as both a personal declaration and a collective anthem. "This is for anyone who's ever been written off for daring to procreate," Davies said. "It's time to call out the lazy biases and celebrate the fact that becoming a parent can be a radical act of creativity and strength."