Something exceptional is happening to Andrew Bird. Not only will ‘Break It Yourself’ allow him to casually sidestep
any clumsy comparisons (Stephane Grappelli, Patrick Wolf, Joanna Newsom), it will see him accepted as a fully-formed musical auteur. More than on previous records, he has managed to mingle his delightfully plucked and bowed violin with songs of whimsical complexity, lyrical darkness (“We’ll dance like cancer survivors!”) and, importantly, gorgeous pop. ‘Lazy Projector’ is a droopy, quietly burning ballad, while ‘Danse Carribe’ is a bravura slice of instrumental showmanship – both show exactly how intriguing and exhilarating he is. Truly special.