Lily Allen Issue #39

It’s Not Me, It’s You

By Anna Giuliani
Published: March 1st, 2009 | 2:48pm

On It’s Not Me, It’s You, Lily Allen both derides and celebrates modern culture, and has an intimate understanding of the high price of fame. After 2007’s Alright, Still, Allen received negative media attention for public intoxication, and gossip blogs mercilessly criticized her hair, body shape, and clothing choices like a rabid high school clique.

Rather than give in to the pessimism, Allen takes some well-aimed shots on It’s Not Me. The overblown marching band rhythms of sing-song-y “Fuck You” slam racists with a joyous, middle-finger-in-the-air refrain, and the hyper-catchy dream pop of “The Fear” sarcastically eviscerates pop culture as Allen declares “And I’ll take my clothes off / And it will be shameless / Because everyone knows that’s how you get famous.”

While It’s Not Me, It’s You showcases Allen’s wit, the album also demonstrates her personal growth. On the autobiographical “I Could Say,” her voice rings lovely and clear as she describes feeling free to make her own choices; and with jazzy chutzpah, Allen addresses finding peace with her absentee dad on “He Wasn’t There.”