It’s Not Me, It’s You- Lily Allen
Album number two from Miss Allen is a brave, confident and intelligent effort backed up with irresistibly catchy pop gems. Whilst a maturity and growth is shown, the characteristics remain from her debut. It's Not Me, It's You is a lyrical snapshot of today’s times fuelled with an unapologetic sharp wit and ironic social commentary. Lily lays bare life musings and heartfelt experiences as an autobiographical offering, presenting them in relatable scenarios. This combined with slick, sugar coated hooks and electronic sounding pulses and beats presents a fine record. This new direction is a positive advancement without compromising anything she is renowned for.
The Fear is a perfect representation as lead single for the new album . She discusses her fear of the world and its superficial direction with an electro-pop sound, which runs through the record’s core. It also offers her voice on being a celebrity in today’s obsessed society and where she’s afraid we’re heading. The album also tackles issues such as drugs, political leaders, sex, the state-of the-nation and God with insightful humour; boldly treading in a way her pop rivals wouldn’t dare. And successfully so.
Retained is her cockney charm and colloquialisms that has made her so endeared in the public eye. This not only keeps her unique voice, but makes her all the more relatable; much like a cheeky friend we feel we all know. This allows her points to be all the more poignant. Sophisticated, outspoken and humorous with a backbone of pumped up modern pop, Lily Allen gives us a multi-layered and critical insight to 2009 Britain. It's Not Me, It's You can’t, and shouldn’t, be ignored on so many levels.
-Peter Angell 2009