AWARD-WINNING WELSH MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST THE ANCHORESS RETURNS WITH HER NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘THE ART OF LOSING’

FEATURING GUEST APPEARANCES FROM JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD (MANIC STREET PREACHERS) AND STERLING CAMPBELL (DAVID BOWIE, DURAN DURAN)

“A devastatingly powerful voice.” MOJO

“Hounds Of Love, updated for the 21st century.” PROG

“Davies is making music like nobody else at the moment.” NME

‘The Art of Losing’ is the second album from Welsh multi-instrumentalist The Anchoress (aka Catherine Anne Davies), following up on her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Confessions of A Romance Novelist’, which was named amongst the Guardian critics’ Albums of the Year, won HMV’s Welsh Album of the Year, Best Newcomer at the PROG awards, and a nomination for the Welsh Music Prize.

Written and produced by Davies, the new album features guest performances from James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers) and drums from Sterling Campbell (David Bowie, Duran Duran) along with the mixing talents of Dave Eringa (Manics, Wilko Johnson) and grammy-award winner Mario McNulty (David Bowie, Prince, Laurie Anderson).

‘The Art Of Losing’ ambitiously navigates the topic of loss in all its forms and was written and recorded during an unfeasibly busy few years as Davies found solace and purpose in a range of projects whilst navigating her griefs. Most recently this came via the release of her collaborative album ‘In Memory of My Feelings’ with Bernard Butler (on Pete Paphides’ label Needle Mythology), duetting with the Manic Street Preachers on ‘Resistance Is Futile’, and being personally invited by The Cure’s Robert Smith to perform at his Meltdown Festival. She also brought a new generation of ears to legendary Scottish rock band Simple Minds, where she spent much of the last five years appearing on the ‘Big Music’ (2015) and ‘Walk Between Worlds’ (2018) albums.

The Anchoress will launch the album with a special show at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in July 2021.

Critical praise for The Anchoress’ debut album:

“A devastatingly powerful voice” MOJO
“One of the year’s most affecting records… a collection of songs that sets a high bar for intense, soul-tearing pop music. 9/10.” THE LINE OF BEST FIT
“Addresses the peaks and troughs of love, commitment and betrayal…Fascinating.” SUNDAY TIMES “A rich and complex debut…a blackly witty breakup album…Compelling.” THE OBSERVER
“Like Karen Carpenter singing John Grant.” UNCUT
“A flawless and sophisticated hyper-literate pop record.” GQ
“A record which could sneak big ideas past the listeners of daytime radio.” Q
“…rich and satisfyingly poptastic.” THE QUIETUS