Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

It’s hard to believe that it was only 4 years ago that Lily created a Myspace page and posted up her musical works after being snubbed by several record labels (who are now more then likely kicking themselves). Let’s face it, with Keith Allen as your dad, you’re not likely to be kept down for long. Love her or hate her there’s no denying the success of her previous album “Alright” (selling 2,600,000 copies) and the single, “Smile”. Ironically Allen is quoted as saying that she cringes when she listens to “Smile” because it reminds her that she was a: 

"sort of over-excitable teenager who desperately wanted attention when she wrote it” 

Her well documented troubles haven’t been easy to get through, but then, when is life easy for any teenager these days? So In April 2008, Allen said she was taking a "new direction" in her music, with “It’s Not Me, It’s You” making it’s debut in February 2009 at the top of the charts, along with the single “Fear” having the same impact. 

So, this new direction then, is it really new and does it work? For those of you familiar with “Smile”, the arrangements this time around are at times more subtle, but for the most part the overall impact of “It’s Not Me” is a fuller, brighter sound. You could argue if you were being harsh, that this is down to Lily “borrowing” from a broader range of music (an example of which being what we’ll refer to as the “George Bush” tribute, uses the instantly recognisable Carpenter’s “Closer To You” piano work), but that could be unduly harsh because you're missing the cutting observational lyricism that's still there: 

“…Do you get a little kick out of being small minded, you want to be like your father. It’s approval you’re after, well, that’s not how you find it.” 

She’s certainly lost the trainers and prom dresses and her view of the world has become more mature, and maybe even a bit more cynical if that were even possible. Peter Paphides from The Times summed it up very nicely with: 

“Everyone’s at It” is a symbolic goodbye to Portobello salad days refracted through the rose-tinted glasses of youth.” (The Times, Feb 3, 2009). 

Her candid honesty is still remarkable, with songs like “He Wasn’t There” directed at her absent infamous Keith and his abdication of parental responsibilities, but highlighting that despite any failings he has, he will always be her hero, and it’s this unbridled insight into her character and experiences, which you can’t help but admire. 

In “It’s Not Me, It’s You”, Lily has gained confidence that’s for sure, with her lyrics still direct and sense of humour intact. What we have as an end result is a very well produced pop album that is actually very good, and comes recommended.

By Splat_Infant & Hunter