Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Review: Lily Allen - "It's Not Me, It's You"


Is there any thought Lily Allen has that she refuses to share with the world? The pop star got her start on MySpace, giving the world a close up view of both her music and her innermost thoughts on her blog. She's stopped posting every little thing that pops in her head anymore, but that's OK. She's dumping her musings on family, George W. Bush, drug addiction, God, boys who are bad in bed and the joys of eating Chinese and watching telly in the poppy disc It's Not Me, It's You.

Sonically, Lils' sophomore album is more glossy electro pop than the brassy ragga sounds of Alright, Still. Both albums contain the same juxtaposition of deceptively sunny pop sounds underscoring the alternately confessional and snarky lyrical content. One minute, Lily is bemoaning the lack of sexual prowess in her boyfriend over a spaghetti western beat, the next she uses a fast paced lyrical flow to beg forgiveness of her sister for past slights. She also tries to bury the hatchet with dad and mum on "He Wasn't There" and "Chinese" respectively, and takes to task the drug-addicted hypocrites on "Everyone's At It" and the world's views on aging in "22" - all with a tongue firmly placed in cheek.

The lyrics are still snotty, but in a more mature way than Alright, Still. A mature Lily Allen? Not quite. She still throws the "f" word around like an adorable sailor, but she also uses that wit to reflect on the quite moments in relationships on "Who'd Have Known" and God's views on Creedence Clearwater Revival and jihads on the stunning "Him." A fresh sound from the freshest girl in the game.

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