Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Toddler to release world’s first album recorded in womb

Luca Yupanqui's debut album is titled Sounds of the Unborn

Ellie Harrison
Wednesday 03 February 2021 12:00 GMT
Comments
Ultrasound
Ultrasound (AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An American toddler, Luca Yupanqui, is set to release the world’s first ever LP made from sounds recorded in the womb.

Sounds of the Unborn was made over five hour-long “joint meditation” sessions in which the child’s parents – Elizabeth Hart, a member of psych-rock band Psychic Ills, and musician Iván Diaz Mathé – recorded their daughter’s movements via electrodes on Hart’s abdomen.

With the help of “biosonic MIDI technology”, they transcribed the vibrations they picked up into synthesisers, reports The Guardian.

Hart and Diaz Mathé “tried to intervene as little as possible” with the editing of the recordings, allowing Yupanqui’s “message to exist in its raw form”, according to a statement.  

The first track from the album, “V4.3 pt.2”, which can be found on YouTube, has an experimental, eerie sound. 

One listener commented: “Gave me a headache to be honest." Some were impressed, however, with one person writing: “This is so innovative, so awe-inspiring, and such a pioneering piece of work. I can’t help but feel utterly connected to the source of existence just simply listening…”

Record label Sacred Bones said: “[Yupanqui’s] awareness of what was happening was astounding. She would open her eyes wide and stare at her parents, seemingly recognising her own sounds from the womb, knowing that they were revisiting those rituals that made them come together as one.”

Sounds of the Unborn will be released on 2 April.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in