Lily Allen "It's Not Me, It's You" Review
Allen's Newest Album Billboard Hit with Help from Producer Kurstin
Feb 16, 2009
Lily Allen's "It's Not Me, It's You" delivers the same lyrical and storytelling ability that Allen employed in her previous album "Alright, Still" yet she serves up a tuneful veracity that was overtly missing.
Greg Kurstin
The most significant difference between “Alright, Still” and “It’s Not Me, It’s You” is the production. Allen only used one producer, Greg Kurstin, and the chemistry forged is palpable. Deftly, he has thrown Allen around the genres of electronic pop, country, and the Klezmer madness of the song "Never Gonna Happen.”
"Everyone's At It"
Her songs sound like they were written under the influence of a truth serum. The opener, "Everyone's At It", set to an addictive synthetic pop tune, uncannily foreshadows the drama that has already surrounded it, a pounding piano and operatic "Ah's" resonate before she chimes in with her straight talk. Soon thereafter, buzzing synths and crashing drums build a dance mood that belies Allen's lyrical warnings against drugs.
"The Fear"
"The Fear" is more relaxed; a gentle guitar melody flowing along with Allen's strong vocals before climaxing into a keyboard-heavy chorus complete with orchestral flourishes of atmospheric sound, reminiscent of Kurstin's work. Lyrically, it is one of the sharpest songs on the album, a razor-sharp indictment of celebrity culture: "I don't care about clever, I don't care about funny / I want loads of clothes and **** loads of diamonds. I don't know what's right and what's real anymore / and I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore."
Gone are the Jamaican dub influence from “Alright, Still” and the ironic rap verses. While there are not any smash singles here like "LDN" or "Smile", this album is much more balanced.
Bluegrass and Country Influence
"I Could Say" is a piano-based ballad about the joys of leaving a bad boyfriend that would not sound out of place on a Kelly Clarkson record, while the hilarious "Not Fair" is a frustrated ode to a boyfriend who is amorously challenged.
The country-ish rhythm and excellently placed bluegrass guitar make the song a highlight, and Allen's typically straightforward lyrics: "I look into your eyes I want to get to know you / and then you make this noise and it's apparent it's all over" add more truth into the album.
Other Songs
The politically-inspired rage of the subtly-titled "**** You," is a song made all the more ironic for it's cheery chorus of the title, complete with a falsetto call-and-response. Allen coats her harshest observations with a smart layer of humor, as on "Him" where she wonders "do you think he's ever taken smack or cocaine / I don't imagine he's ever been suicidal / his favorite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival."
It is her ability to turn the most serious subject matter, from post-20s malaise in the song "22" to a rude break-up on "Never Gonna Happen" that make this pop album much more than well-made melodies and innovative instrumental choices. Furthermore, the spacey vibe and twinkling keyboard of "Chinese" make the song's vision of a simple, loving relationship all that more uplifting.
Pop Album of the Year?
In conclusion, Lily Allen's latest album is an inventive, personal, humorous, and finely wrought piece of work. There is nary a weak song on the album; Kurstin's striking production and Allen's ingenious use of language make nearly every song a potential hit single.
It is early 2009, but with Allen's latest venomous, hilarious collection of electro-pop rants and love swoons, the Brits may already have produced the pop album of the year.
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