To look at Lily Allen, she’s as vibrant as her same-age contemporaries. But wipe any notion of teenage chart-pleasers. She’s “a musician’s musician”, to be taken seriously. The 2006 album Alright Already more aptly reminds us of Bob Marley with-a-side-of-jazz. Her work is professional jamming material; a session musician’s dream. Images of a posh club for mature clientele, conjure. 2008 brings It’s Not Me, It’s You, a witty title and good lesson in self-esteem! Immediately we’re enchanted with the stuff of car rides, parties, and radio.

“Everyone’s At It” might easily have been written by the Killers: pleasing, electronic pop. “The Fear”, performed on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is equally modern; bluntly assessing society’s absurd priorities. Lily has no problem inserting casual swears and dumping sex observations on the table. The remainder is a box of chocolates. We’re on a ‘what comes next’ ride, as Lily artfully covers any genre she pleases.

Ambient electronica succeeds & precedes folk, ragtime, old Paris, even a western. Not expected to be a single, “Fuck You” title and lyrics are in hilarious contrast to a purposely chipper ditty! High, boppy vocals sound like the Supremes and Carpenters fused; as amusing as if the classy legends themselves, waved middle fingers in the air!

“Him”, more insightful than Joan Osbourne’s “One Of Us”, is a reflection on how God thinks we’re doing. Contrary to beat-dependent fluff like “Shut Up And Drive”; Lily Allen writes useful subject matter: original, intelligent, and entertaining.

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Lily Allen - "The Fear"