West End Girl by Lily Allen reviewed by a South East Girl

 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 

Little view into my life, and I can assure you that many girls my age also have a special place in their hearts for the heroine, Lily Allen (in both senses). Catchy hooks and upbeat songs that feel bittersweet allow her to be truthful and raw, with slower songs and many other things to add to her CV.

I grew up with Lily Allen blasting, not really knowing the lyrics but loving the vibe. I've heard many of my peers talking about their older sisters going through heartbreak, first relationships and hormones. This became part of their elaborate tapestry of musical taste. 

Lily's debut, "Alright, Still", is still something I blast regularly, as an only child, especially with my parents, who love her as much as me. This opened up the world for me, hearing a singer who didn't sing with an American accent and singing in the way she spoke, and of course, that has changed with time, but she isn't immortal, and change is inevitable. This was the first time my parents had to explain some of the lyrics to me, like"Premature" meant in that context (It's Not Fair).

Growing up in the Noughties (not going to lie, but I hate that phrase, but that's not my choice to make), I saw a lot of artists I grew up with split, grow out of their grass roots and sometimes become something or someone I hate. Unfortunately, that is the way the world works, especially with the Me Too movement and women (and men) finding their voice to speak up about abhorrent behaviour.  One that comes to mind when I say growing out of their Grass Roots, I think of the Arctic Monkeys. Part of their appeal was that they were just everyday boys from Sheffield. Now I understand they can't always stay that way, but their transition after their hit Album AM was followed by Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino, which left a lot of fans disappointed with this sudden change and felt less authentic. Allen, however, has shown her versatility throughout her entire discography. With Scar Rythms, Hyper Pop, House, Singer Song Writer and many other genres. We miss a lot of what the artist wants to make in the present, pushed by labels and producers. But from day 1, Lily gets what she wants and when she wants it. She was put on the back burner at her label for her debut, so she released the demos on MySpace, showing the producers that she didn't need them. Since then, of course, there have been unheard songs she may not have released, and in my parasocial opinion, her work feels genuine, and she seems very proud of her work. 

Literally writing about a Lily Allen NEW album as an adult is (kinda corny, I know) a dream come true!!!! Being a adolesence was perfect trying to navigate the world with albums like "Alright, Still" and "It's no me its you", it was perfect for the time and I look back and thank Lily. But now I can continue saying thank you as I navigate my adult life and also learning to not be a doormatt.

I've always been walked over and I thought that was the brave thing to do, when really it's the opposite. It takes a strong person to set boundaries, let alone relationship ones. Lily shows her humanity with the rage, anger, confusion, hope and all the way she talks so passionately about it. It reminds us (in a world of plastic) that she is genuine and just like us.

I could type about this for hours, but I'll sign off with watch out David Harbour, don't upset a musician, you're paying for her new apartment without you...