'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.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: 'The Art Of Losing' shows a superb grasp of melody and drive while still retaining the more nuanced songwriting and groove, reminiscent of recent shop hitters, The International Teachers of Pop or the superb new Róisín Murphy LP. Davies maintains the quality of her previous outing, pushing things a little further and that little bit more danceable. Superb.
TRACK LISTING
CD
1. Moon Rise ( Prelude ) ( 02:51 )
2. Let It Hurt ( 03:37 )
3. The Exchange Feat. James Dean Bradfield
4. Show Your Face ( 04:27 )
5. The Art Of Losing ( 04:07 )
6. All Farewells Should Be Sudden ( 05:02 )
7. All Shall Be Well ( 01:39 )
8. Unravel ( 04:05 )
9. Paris ( 02:01 )
10. 5AM ( 04:02 )
11. The Heart Is A Lonesome Hunter ( 04:06 )
12. My Confessor ( 03:56 )
13. With The Boys ( 05:57 )
14. Moon ( An End ) ( 02:52 )
LP X 2
1. Moon Rise ( Prelude ) ( 02:51 )
2. Let It Hurt ( 03:37 )
3. The Exchange Feat. James Dean Bradfield
1. Show Your Face ( 04:27 )
2. The Art Of Losing ( 04:07 )
3. All Farewells Should Be Sudden ( 05:02 )
4. All Shall Be Well ( 01:39 )
1. Unravel ( 04:05 )
2. Paris ( 02:01 )
3. 5AM ( 04:02 )
4. The Heart Is A Lonesome Hunter ( 04:06 )
1. My Confessor ( 03:56 )
2. With The Boys ( 05:57 )
3. Moon ( An End ) ( 02:52 )
LP X 2 + 7"
1. Moon Rise ( Prelude ) ( 02:51 )
2. Let It Hurt ( 03:37 )
3. The Exchange Feat. James Dean Bradfield
1. Show Your Face ( 04:27 )
2. The Art Of Losing ( 04:07 )
3. All Farewells Should Be Sudden ( 05:02 )
4. All Shall Be Well ( 01:39 )
1. Unravel ( 04:05 )
2. Paris ( 02:01 )
3. 5AM ( 04:02 )
4. The Heart Is A Lonesome Hunter ( 04:06 )
1. My Confessor ( 03:56 )
2. With The Boys ( 05:57 )
3. Moon ( An End ) ( 02:52 )
1. Unravel ( 7" Mix ) ( 03:34 )
1. Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky ( 03:09 )
3 CD Set
1. Moon Rise ( Prelude ) ( 02:51 )
2. Let It Hurt ( 03:37 )
3. The Exchange Feat. James Dean Bradfield
4. Show Your Face
5. The Art Of Losing ( 04:07 )
6. All Farewells Should Be Sudden ( 05:02 )
7. All Shall Be Well ( 01:39 )
8. Unravel ( 04:05 )
9. Paris ( 02:01 )
10. 5AM ( 04:02 )
11. The Heart Is A Lonesome Hunter ( 04:06 )
12. My Confessor ( 03:56 )
13. With The Boys ( 05:57 )
14. Moon ( An End )
1. Show Your Face ( Original Keys Demo ) ( 04:24 )
2. The Art Of Losing ( P Dub Alt Mix ) ( 04:06 )
3. Unravel ( P Dub Alt Mix ) ( 04:04 )
4. The Heart Is A Lonesome Hunter ( Original Demo Version ) ( 04:01 )
5. Show Your Face ( P Dub Alt Mix ) ( 04:24 )
6. With The Boys ( Original Demo Version ) ( 05:34 )
7. All Shall Be Well ( Instrumental Version ) ( 01:41 )
8. Paris ( Instrumental Version ) ( 01:56 )
9. Unravel ( Original String Demo ) ( 03:28 )
10. The Exchange (Dictaphone Writing Demo)
11. Let It Hurt ( Dictaphone Writing Demo ) ( 01:57 )
1. The Exchange Feat. James Dean Bradfield (Hinako Omori Remix)
2. Unravel ( Cross Bone T Remix ) ( 04:32 )
3. Show Your Face ( Worriedaboutsatan Remix ) ( 04:59 )
4. The Art Of Losing ( Jermaine Soul Remix ) ( 04:33 )
5. The Exchange Feat. James Dean Bradfield (Jermaine Soul Remix)
