Review: Lily Allen - "REMIXED"

Lily Allen's recent It's Not Me, It's You found the British pop star in a softly electro-hued state. Even more techno-flavored was the offer of the tracks as song stems for remixing when you bought the physical CD. It only makes sense that a remix album would follow. Instead of the fan-uploaded remixes, Fritz von Runte and Mister Master Five have remixed every track from the disc, with varying results.

The best remix is the "fearchestral mix" of "The Fear" which surrounds the confessional lyrics with a lush string section. I'm still trying to decide if the slow-down "Back to The Start [this is just a remix]" is insanely good or just insane. The vocals are slowed down to a masculine tone, and the spare beat is accentuated with what sounds like porn samples. It's interesting at the least, and a better use of the effect than on "Who'd Have Known [moss side mix]" I also enjoy the new beat on "Him [riot hymn mix]" and club sound of "I Could Say [function mix]" but some others, like "Fuck You [fossa nova mix]" and "He Wasn't There [welsh mix]" are less successful.

REMIXED is a mixed bag, some stellar moments and some just strange. But the best part? It's a free download at Lily Allen's website. (I know: way to bury the lead, Paul!) I found it easiest to download the album track-by-track. And if you hate every song, at least you paid less for it then you did for In Rainbows. Right?