Damn, Andrew Bird sure can whistle.
When it comes to Andrew Bird’s music, you always know what to expect. But that’s not a bad thing. One of the most singular voices out there today, he brings magnetic, folky arrangements, sharp-as-a-tack lyrics and yes, lots of whistling. His new song, “Sisyphus,” is no exception.
The track rolls along at a steady pace, riding strong drumbeat and classic piano line. The lyrics flow out from the perspective of the titular subject, with lines bemoaning his fate to endlessly roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down as he neared the top. “You know I’d rather turn and burn than scale this edifice,” Bird sings. Given his love of myths and legends, it’s no surprise he eventually made his way to Sisyphus.
They’ll be more stories, both real and fantastical, on his new album, My Finest Work Yet, out on March 22, 2019.