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

Before the release of her latest single, The Fear, it would have been easy to forget Lily's debut album due to massive media attention focusing on her apparently attitude towards drugs and sex. We forget how 2006's Alright, Still, led by debut single Smile, was the soundtrack to that summer. Her delightful reggae infused pop, combined with clever and witty lyrics, not to mention fantastic production from Mr Ronson, was refreshing amid the choas of teenaged indie bands.

It's Not Me, It's You shows a clear change of sound for Lily, evidence for her choice not to use Ronson as main producer. Musically, it's far more electro than her debut, more keyboards and synths than guitar and drums, though still bass heavy.

Lyrically, it's a definite improvement as well. Despite Alright, Still not being without it's lyrical highlights, INMIY shows Lily having grown up, and while the lyrics follow the same lyrical pattern of witty gibes at society they are far more focused and educated.

This album contains everything. From epic social commentaries about drugs (Everyone's At It), celebrity culture (The Fear) and racists (Fuck You) among other topics, to beautiful tracks about love (Chinese), family (Back To The Start) and the advantages of being single (I Could Say), all topped off with the likes of the fantastically witty and genuinley funny Not Fair.

Pop perfection in just over 40 minutes.

Best tracks:
I Could Say
Who'd Have Known
Him

9/10