The singer’s striking new album has a lot to say and manages to pack a powerful punch on many emotional levels.
The ways in which every song has a deep and personal meaning to Lily Allen will constantly remain a strong focus to anyone listening to her vibrant and emotionally intense latest album.
What is remarkable about the album is while the music itself has understated and classy quality to it, the lyrics are sharp and cutting. Every song makes you sit up and pay attention as you never know what is going to come next.
Yes, while some of the lyrics are little bit too graphic (on ‘Pussy Palace’ for example), there is no doubting the authenticity as we journey with the singer of destruction of a relationship, which although Allen has said has some basis in truth (and it is difficult to tell how much artistic license has been used) covers every possible emotion to powerful effect.
Album opener, ‘West End Girl’ sets the tone perfectly. The wonderful wistfulness of the lyrics of hope and ambition gives a sense of the strong emotions that come into play later on the album.
The album shines at its brightest on songs such as ‘Tennis’ which reflects on the pain and confusion as a relationship begins to break down in terms of mistrust and uncertainty. Elsewhere, ‘Nonmonogamummy’ sees the singer’s songwriting skills in full flight, with a full rawness to the lyrics that can be relatable to anyone trying to move forward in the aftermath of a relationship breaking down.
As the album moves through the emotional journey, songs such as ‘Let You W/In’ and ‘Fruityloop’ offer a sense of peace well roundedness to the record that brings it full circle and an element of hope for the future.
Not a single lyric is wasted and you get a real sense of how cathartic that writing and putting this album together was for Lily Allen. It is light, bright and sharp from start to finish.
There are really clever touches throughout. In particular, I loved the music on ‘Sleepwalking’ which has an element of brokenness to it that highlights how the singer/ character telling her story is trying to find her way through the heartbreak. It is one of the album’s best songs.
Overall, West End Girl is a fantastic album from Lily Allen – showcasing a singer and songwriter at the top of her game.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️