Lily Allen
Alright, Still...
EMI

There are a lot of reasons why I shouldn't like 'Alright, Still...', with the main thrust of my prejudices being that this is a true pop album, made for the British charts. It's almost tacky in its overt and direct appeal to mainstream chart audiences. Simple pop, highly produced, sweet vocals voicing brash lyrics - these all register negatively on my radar, but quite conversely, I love this album. 'Guilty pleasure' is the term.

Lily Allen has attitude and, apparently, in a similar vein to the precocious Ben Lee from many years ago, her behaviour aside from her music has turned many potential fans away. Undoubtedly a big personality, Allen's attitude is just as easy and immediate to spot in her song-writing. What comes across, therefore, is a confidence and charisma that is sure to continue polarising audiences into either loving or hating her.

Smile and LDN ("Sun is in the sky, oh why oh why would I want to be anywhere else?") are the two high rotation singles that are impossibly catchy. Knock 'Em Out is more fun, with a dancing piano tune, snare driven drum beat, synthesiser and a touch of brass providing the musical bed for a quick, fast-spoken word story of avoiding sleazy guys at the pub. It's song-writing in the style of The Streets but from a girl's perspective. Not Big is Allen at her most cheeky and it's hilarious stuff - insulting an ex-boyfriend where it'll hurt the most.

Allen's smugness coupled with the playfulness of the music is why it works so well.

Alfie, the last song of the album, is absolute nausea inducing rubbish - Allen's sweetness just too sickly. Other than that horrible stain, 'Alright, Still...' is a quality chart release.

Steven Williams