HEAR AND NOW: Lily Allen matures, but still says ‘F*ck You’
By Rebecca Wall, The Dartmouth Staff
Published on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
She's sassy, smart and multi-faceted. Well-produced and infectious, her music sticks in your head for hours after listening. If you think I'm referring to Miley Cyrus, shame on you.
Rather, this musical maven is none other than Lily Allen. Best known for the humorous, yet vindictive, track "Smile" (2006), Allen's recently released album, "It's Not Me, It's You," once again proves her endearing hybrid of slightly asinine lyrics and upbeat backgrounds to be a success.
Following this tradition, the viciously titled "F*ck You" incorporates light and airy piano and celebratory brass embellishments with spiteful lines such as "It's people like you who need to get slew." The song's use of vocal distortion at one point, which makes Allen sound like a long-lost member of Alvin and the Chipmunks, enhances the contrast between the carnival-like instrumentals and the disgruntled lyrics. The result is not quite funny or serious, a little disquieting and, above all, attention-grabbing.
However, as she promised fans on her MySpace page in April, 2008, "It's Not Me, It's You," marks a "new direction" for Allen.
The album includes more contemplative tracks that suggest a maturation from her previous work. "Back to the Start," a rhythmic, infectious track, masterfully blends nearly trance-like electronics with bopping piano. Departing from her snide, unapologetic trademark style, Allen muses, "Believe me when I say that I cannot apologize enough," before asking, "Could you please find it deep within your heart / to try and go back go back to the start?"
In the album's opener, "Everyone's At It," Allen departs from her personal lyrical style in favor of a social commentary, questioning the prevalence of drug use, especially anti-depressants, in modern society. Despite its bouncy interplay between piano chords and electronic flourishes, the song is too heavy to be a dance track and too upbeat to be a ballad. The resulting tension between musical styles keeps the listener's focus on the music itself -- a wise decision for a song with a message.
Allen further displays her versatility on the melancholy, yet romantic, "Who'd Have Known." The song slowly transforms from a minimalist ballad to a lavish production replete with electric harpsichord and lush vocal backgrounds, showing Allen's soft side and diversifying the album.
"It's Not Me, It's You" is one of the best releases of 2009 to date. Demonstrating significant growth from her previous album, "Alright, Still" (2006), Allen's new release should establish her in the top tier of female pop artists.