Lily Allen has been writing provocative, socially conscious music throughout a career that now stretches beyond a decade. Her fourth album, ‘No Shame’, arrives four years after the misguided ‘Sheezus’ LP, taking a swerve away from her comfort zone.
Trigger Bang, featuring grime star Giggs, Waste, a collaboration with dancehall artist Lady Chann, and My One invite nostalgic flashes of Allen’s roots - sarcastic sing-song melodies and tropical licks - but ‘No Shame’ feels hesitant, quieter, less confident.
Where a punchy, give-a-fuck major label artist once stood, loud, mouthy and proud, now sits a pensive, wounded and more soulful artist. And the music does not suffer, at all.
Allen takes time to understand the repercussions of her actions, stands accountable for her mistakes and speaks candidly on the guilt of feeling as though she failed her ex-husband and children.
Apples is a wonderful track. Written as an ode to love lost and hearts broken, Allen speaks to her former husband, explaining why she walked away. “I had to do it baby, we were both depressed,” she sings. “Towards the end we were not even having sex. I felt like I was only good for writing the cheques. I like a drink but that does not make me a wreck.”
Her words are spoken with brittle regret, almost ushered in under the weight of her own truths, as a guitar picks chords behind her. It feels like a conversation played out, quiet and brutal, over the backdrop of a world that carries on moving, refusing to stop and mourn two ex-lovers.
Three is another tear-stained moment, extracted like a page from a diary. Allen imagines the thoughts of her daughter as her mother leaves her to go on tour, missing out on the small, unique moments of a child growing up. This sentiment resonates throughout 'No Shame', with an artist shackled to her work, continually demonised by the media and criticised by the public.
Throughout we are granted unprecedented access to the past 10 years of Allen’s life. A realist who writes with depth and intelligence, ‘No Shame’ offers a more accurate sketch of what life really looks like. Her sentiments come into stark focus, unfiltered, minus the selfie smiles and clickbait to garner more followers and likes. This is her truth. This feels like the music Allen has always wanted to make.
Lily Allen Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Tue December 11 2018 - DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
Thu December 13 2018 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Fri December 14 2018 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
Sun December 16 2018 - MANCHESTER Albert Hall
Mon December 17 2018 - LONDON Roundhouse
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
.jpg)
