8/10

When Irish singer and songwriter Wallis Bird was eighteen months old, she was involved in a horrible accident that caused her to lose all her fingers on one hand. Thankfully the doctors were able to reattach four of them, but she ended up spending much of her childhood relearning how to hold things and function normally again. This then bled into how she was forced to learn guitar and create the vibrant music she is known for. So for her seventh studio album 'Hands', she is searching for acceptance of who she is and how even the darkest moments of her past have defined who she is today.

Despite the harrowing story that influenced her new record, 'Hands' is an instantly broad and upbeat listen from start to finish. While she has dabbled with fresher and more adventurous tones on her previous outings, the singles littered throughout 'Hands' have this genuinely inventive approach to them. Channelling an 80s synth vibe for the track 'I Lose Myself Completely', and the almost Tune-Yards-inspired gem that is 'What's Wrong With Changing', there is this bubbling energy running throughout her latest full-length that has resulted in some truly warm and loveable cuts.

Wallis Bird may have spent the majority of her early days struggling for a home as she moved from label to label, but 'Hands' sees her rediscover the expressive nature she has always looked to conjure. Bold and exciting at almost every turn, she is standing out as one of the more invigorating artists working today.