Album Review: Lily Allen 'No Shame'

I could have sworn Lily Allen had more than three albums to her name - such is the singer's cultural ubiquity, it feels like she has released a stream of LPs since her 2006 debut,Alright, Still. Testifying to her idiosyncratic approach and unique way with a melody, several of the tunes from that album have become contemporary pop standards.

Indeed, those hits were nuggets of musical sunshine that emerged in the midst of an indie storm; it was a time when skinny-jeaned posturing dominated the cultural landscape. Additionally, Alright, Still showcased Allen's charisma as a person and performer. She is that increasingly rare kind of pop personality: bolshie and fearlessly individual.

Allen became disenchanted with the music industry following the release of her third LP, 2014's Sheezus, an ill-conceived effort driven by corporate pressure to conform to pop trends. It didn't work for the singer, nor for her fans. However, her latest album, No Shame, serves as a well-timed response to anyone who'd dare write Allen off as mere tabloid fodder.

This is a well-crafted affair overseen by an all-star team of producers - including Mark Ronson and Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig - who have conjured some exquisite soundscapes to underpin the singer's confessional lyrics. Despite the array of talent at the mixing desk, the album is unified by the consistent use of icy electronica, with tinny drum samples, mournful piano, and processed vocals to the fore.

No Shame - like much contemporary pop - also incorporates tropical and dancehall rhythms. Although veering occasionally towards anonymous hair salon hip hop, it generally finds Allen in impressive vocal form, and refraining from the proletarian affectations that surfaced on her earlier work. In the debit column, there is a rather too liberal use of Auto-Tune, and the best moments are the quieter ones, be it the lullaby-like 'Apple' or the down-tempo ambience of 'Three'.

On the lyrical front, reflections on debauched youth (drinking, drugging, late nights etc) are mixed with wistful observations about the challenges of juggling pop stardom with family life. Particularly on the latter tracks, No Shame contains some of Allen's most satisfying music to date. This is a real return to form from one of pop's most talented stars.

Rating: 7/10