Released on January 26, ‘Witches’ is a politically charged track from UK artist, Lauren Jennifer. Inspired by the threat of Roe v Wade being overturned, Lauren likens the oppression of women to the Salem Witch trials in the US in the 18th century, deplores that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Poignant and powerful, ‘Witches’ addresses the continuing grip of the patriarchy in today’s society. Speaking of the track, Lauren says,
‘I never thought I’d write a political song but I was so angry that even in this modern age, the patriarchy are STILL trying to strip women of their autonomy and fundamental human rights, just like they have done throughout history, that it just came pouring out of me.’Â
Ingeniously employing the title, ‘Witches’, Lauren directly references the Salem Witch trials, but she’s also commenting on the continued oppression of women: that against the suffragette movement for example, and, more recently, #MeToo.
While Lauren Jennifer’s sound could be described as Americana, for ‘Witches’ she deliberately added sounds and timbres from mediaeval and warrior music.
“From the war drums, the strings as the song builds to the screams and chanting. I want people who hear this song to feel like they’ve gone through an almost cinematic experience and to feel the emotions that women throughout history have felt and continue to feel.”
Lauren wrote her lyrics and melody, then sent them to John Chapman, of TGS Live Lounge, who added the chord structure. From there, ‘Witches’ was recorded at Black Cactus Studios in Colchester with Lauren, AJ the producer and Ben Small who played all the instruments on the track.Â
‘Witches’ is out now and can be streamed and downloaded here. Find out more about Lauren Jennifer and her music online on Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.
