There’s little denying that Lily Allen has been one of the most singular figures in pop music since emerging in the mid-’00s, often providing a vital counterbalance to the hubristic tedium of her daytime radio neighbours.
It’s unfortunate, then, that her third album, ‘Sheezus’, often gets lost down its own self-ironic rabbit-hole, the product of Allen over-straining to reestablish herself as a distinct voice rather than the magnetic lyricist that sparkled prior to her “retirement” four years ago.
As The Streets discovered, writing about everyday real life becomes a challenge three albums in. While it has it moments, ‘Sheezus’ (title track, below) is largely devoid of Allen’s pragmatic charm of 10 years ago.
5/10
Words: Jack Scourfield
– – –
– – –
Buy Clash Magazine
Get Clash on your mobile, for free: iPhone / Android
