LILY ALLEN: West End Girl (BMG)
Verdict: Captivating breakup album
Most singers who take a seven-year break from music would likely find it hard to regain popularity, as people’s tastes change over time. But Lily Allen is proving to be different.
More and more young female artists are now inspired by her witty, conversational pop style, and her influence has continued to increase even since she stepped away from the spotlight.
Billie Eilish was moved to tears when she first heard Lily Allen’s 2006 song, ‘Smile.’ British singer PinkPantheress says Allen’s openness inspired her to embrace her own unique sound.
Most notably, pop star Olivia Rodrigo invited Lily to perform with her at the Glastonbury festival in 2022. She also brought Lily onstage again during her Guts tour when it came to London’s O2 Arena in 2024.
Appearing as a guest on other projects convinced Allen, 40, to record in a studio again, marking her first time doing so since her 2018 album, No Shame.
Her new album, West End Girl, gets its name from her time performing in London theater. The album’s honest and personal lyrics reflect the end of her relationship with David Harbour, the actor from Stranger Things.
I was so saddened to hear about Lily Allen and Sam Cooper’s split back in January, after four years together. It’s been really tough to watch, especially after Lily recently shared how deeply the separation affected her – she bravely admitted she even had suicidal thoughts. It just breaks my heart knowing she went through something so painful.
She’s explained that the lyrics on her new album blend truth and imagination, but the 14 compelling stories feel deeply personal when you listen to them.
The album begins with the song that shares its name – a beautiful bossa nova with lots of strings. It introduces the story’s main character as she starts a seemingly perfect new life in New York with her partner.
However, things quickly fall apart when she returns to London to prepare for a play. She receives a devastating phone call from America revealing that her perfect partner wants an open relationship, leaving her heartbroken.
The story takes an emotional turn. Lily becomes increasingly troubled, haunted by visions of infidelity – as expressed in the song ‘Ruminating’ with lines like ‘I can’t shake the image of her naked’ – and her anxieties fuel a vivid, dreamlike quality in the gentle song ‘Sleepwalking’.
She sings about a confusing relationship, feeling stuck because she believes the other person won’t commit or let her go. She feels blamed, even though she’s not sure if it’s deliberate, and ends up feeling responsible for the situation.
When she found some concerning texts, she confronted the other woman, bluntly asking if the relationship was just physical or if feelings were involved. Feeling down, she briefly considered turning to alcohol to cope, but instead, hesitantly joined a dating app. Her profile was honest, even a little sarcastic, and mentioned she had teenage kids, finishing with a wry question: ‘Does that sound appealing?’
The album reaches its emotional low with the gentle indie-pop song “Just Enough,” but ends on a more hopeful note with “Fruityloop.” She wraps things up by saying, “It’s not me, it’s you,” echoing the title of her 2009 album and delivering a sharp, final statement.
She sounds creatively refreshed, possibly fueled by a recent heartbreak. Working with producer Blue May, she honestly details the stages of a breakup, using a mix of energetic drum and bass, heartfelt ballads, and even the unique sounds of flamenco guitar and castanets.
Okay, sometimes the auto-tune is a little heavy for my taste, but honestly, she’s incredible at pouring real feeling into her songs. It’s really clever, catchy pop, and she delivers it with so much punch!
Breakup albums are a classic part of pop music – think of iconic records like Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, and Adele’s 21. Lily Allen’s new album, West End Girl, fits right into this tradition, offering a compelling and emotional experience.
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2025-10-24 09:18