We all carry with us scars of our past. Physical or emotional, they shape who we are and help tell the story of where we’ve been; what we’ve experienced.

Seasoned Irish, currently residing in Germany, musician Wallis Bird, puts the scars (quite literally) on display in her latest album Hands.

Bird, who fell under a lawnmower at 18 months old, shows her hand on the album cover and says of the aptly named record “Hands for me is a symbol of humanity, connection and time.” The ensuing “Nine and a Half Songs for Nine and a Half Fingers,” reaches confidently into the well from which Bird has previously ventured and found so much success.

Hands stretches out over several decades of influence, effortlessly blends them, and masterfully delivers a self-awareness that is bound to end up on many “Best of” lists at year’s end.  “Go” carries the 90s alt sound, perhaps skirting close to an almost Tori Amos quality, that faded all too soon before exploding and exploring itself with an eviscerating youthful Morrisette-esc “What’s Wrong with Changing.” Exuberance meets reflective tempo changes and thoughtful constructs throughout the record. The sound of Hands spans electronic assemblies and acoustic builds, which in and of themselves will demand your attention, rarely hold a candle to the songwriting prowess of Bird. Three tracks in the record pivots from energy to the sobering tapestry of “The Power Of A Word.” The track, like so many on the release, paint vivid landscapes of realization. Wallis Bird masterfully crafts each song to embody the message within with precision and grace, but to hell with that specificity, all you’re going to need to know is Hands is ten nine-and-a-half gripping, unrelenting experiences tightly packaged into one utterly fantastic journey well worth the time.

Baring her scars, literally and figuratively, Wallis Bird has reached out Hands and revealed a stark intimacy you won’t want to miss.  Inequities, activism, politically and socially charged songwriting meet an intimately unshakeable introspective narrative throughout Hands that culminates in a sense of hope and optimism all while captivating us with the blended, truly artistic vision of Bird. Turn it up, close your eyes and experience Hands. It is fun, it is mesmerizing, it is profoundly executed, and it is out May 27, 2022.