Irish singer songwriter Wallis Bird’s first release Spoons (2007), and much of her early work, has been compared to Ani Difranco and indeed you can hear Difranco in the bouncy folk rock of her live album Yeah!. Her sound has evolved quite a way from her noughties material. Bird has declared that her new album Woman is a protest album of sorts, and it does indeed tackle many of the most pressing issues of our time.

Album opener “As the River Flows” is a catchy beats–and-keys driven number reminiscent of Fiona Apple’s later work. Bird has stated that the song is “Dedicated particularly to the incredible souls who faced death crossing the Mediterranean Sea. And to the poor little boy, Alan Kurdi who’s drowning broke my heart”. When Pearl Jam’s Vs was released, Eddie Vedder said the song “Rearview Mirror” was “about suicide, but it’s too catchy”. I’m thinking perhaps “As the River Flows” is also too catchy to carry its subject matter.

New single “Life is Long” was written after a weekend on the piss with her parents. It’s also an ode to Ireland, with Bird singing “Clifden down to Galway Bay, Sunday driving the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’, overwhelming landscape”. The introduction of a significant synth line in the second verse does great things for the song.

“Woman Oh Woman” closes the first half of the album in fine style. It’s a tribute to women in general and to Bird’s partner in particular. Its rhythm is awkward in an attractive way. The song highlights Bird’s strength as a pop singer who celebrates difference.

Track 6 “Salve” is the album highlight and is one of Bird’s greatest moments. It fairly belts along via equally urgent acoustic guitar, keys and some super funky bass. Bird says it’s about abandoning her phone and “poisonous” social media.  That certainly explains the oomph.

She has attempted a philosophical piano dirge in “Time is Not Waiting” and it falls a bit flat. No shame in that, nothing else leaves a performing singer songwriter as naked.

Track 6 “Salve” is the album highlight and is one of Bird’s greatest moments. It fairly belts along via equally urgent acoustic guitar, keys and some super funky bass.

Along with “Salve” the other standout track is the rabble rousing “That’s What Life is For”. A strident “proletarian” call for equality and democracy, it’s not merely calling for an end to discrimination based on one’s inherent characteristics such as gender or sexual orientation.

“Repeal” is an appropriate closer to the album. Bird incorporates spoken word ensuring the listener can’t miss the point. The song was “written during the canvassing, voting period and finally the result of Ireland’s hardest won battle with itself in modern times. The Repealing of the 8^th amendment in Irish law has regained Women’s bodily rights while blasting church from state law”.

On a song by song basis, Woman is an uneven listening experience. As a whole though, it is a step forward as it explores more sonic territory than Bird has before. There are some real gems on here too.

Wallis Bird’s new album, Woman, is out now through Mount Silver Records – Caroline International.