Lilly Allen
What happens when the pretty, doll-faced daughter of a famous British comedian drops out of high school, deals E for a living, becomes famous on MySpace for a few original songs and then receives the creative freeway from a record company to release her own album?
Lily Allen happens. She started off on MySpace, reaped in the fans by marketing her own mix tapes, released her debut album on a 12” vinyl before the full CD came out… she’s the Little Brat That Could. With her debut single, Smile, a vindictive, horror revenge story with lollipop beats and a touch of eclectic soul, Lily won the BMI Songwriter of the Year award and became a full blown star. Her debut Album, Alright, Still, released in 2006, touched audiences with its mellow, bratty sweetness and a personal sense of irony. Lily speaks the everyday truth of the everyday lives of everyday women. From dealing with stony brothers to creeps at the bar, Lily’s little-sisterly passive aggression is dealt out with lyrical wit and bassy, eclectic sounds inspired by Jamaican ska.
Her video clips are full of her op-shop personality and Mockney charm. Abound with sweet little visual gags, stoner Muppets and bright, retro aesthetics, they reflect her genuine sense of self and her London Street Pop sound. The film noir video for Littlest Thing shows Lily’s darker side. It’s a melancholy, sweet and sad, with a classical melody and the usual sharp delivery of biting lyrics. Like all of her music, she’s emotionally authentic, without being angsty or emo. There’s almost a sense of 'morning after' apathy, like she’s already had a good cry, gotten trashed, and is telling the story as she nurses a hangover the next day- laughing dryly at the memory of her own misery. She’s also wicked honest about everything, on her MySpace, in interviews, and most importantly, in her music. It makes all the difference. Perhaps that is why she was voted third Coolest Person of the Year. She’s just plodding along, having a good time and treasuring the color of her life. Sweet of her to share it with us.
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