Lily Allen - Sheezus

***1/2

Lily’s back and bold as ever!

Lily Allen has unleashed her new album 'Sheezus' after a five year break to deal with family issues and the fashion business, so their has been no music from the highly praise popular female singer. And guess what, she still likes to say what she thinks on record rather than sticking to the safe subjects most female singers do. I think this is a good thing and has added to her credibility in the music industry and to be honest  I think that is what stands her apart intentionally as well as just genuinely making the songs she wants to.

The album opens on the title track ‘Sheezus’ which starts to the sound of an alarm, perhaps warning the world she is back in business. It deals with a range of subjects including periods, Katy Perry and possibly a bit of blasphemy in there too if that offends you, watch out. In terms of being offended, not that I was, it does catch you out the occasional swear word in the album, mostly because she has a nice voice and the backing to most of her tracks are Pop with a bit of a Dance beat, so fitting into the radio friendly sound but not always radio friendly lyrics. If you know here stuff you will know this is standard, if not be careful where and with who you listen to the album with.

I have no issue with it though as it just based on real life, as are a number of the songs seemingly about or based on issues in real life, family, break ups and sex such as in ‘L8 Cmmr’ which I think you can work out for yourself. There are some very catchy tunes on here ‘Insincerely Yours’ was one that took the Dance / Pop sound and chucked in a bit of an 80’s sound and really had me take notice. There is the darker side too with ‘Take my Place’.

The main part of the album ends on the track she controversially came back with last year via the viral video of ‘Hard out Here’ mocking the female music scene, which while she stays slightly arm’s length she is still part of. This leads into ‘Interlude’ the only track I could not see the point of really, some backwards vocals followed by something resembling a drill for about 90 seconds in total. This leads to the bonus and final track of the Keane cover that graced the Christmas ads of ‘Somewhere only we Know’.

Overall it is a good album, tracks you remember for a few days afterwards. Only minor criticism is that the tracks do get a bit similar by the end and perhaps she is not quite as controversial as she thinks she is, yet it does not feel too contrived either. An enjoyable comeback from an artist prepared to have a bit of fun with the music.

Review by Jon Cooper 

Check Out! the lyric Video for 'Hard out Here' (Explicit Version) Below...