Lily Allen The Fear Review
MySpace Starlet’s New Single from Album It’s Not Me, It's You
Dec 15, 2008
The follow-up to Lily Allen's critically acclaimed 2007 debut, Alright, Still, on Capitol Records, sees the light of day on February 10th, 2009.
First single from that set, It's Not Me, It's You, entitled “The Fear”, exposes a more mature singer who still has much to say about modern life in her own brand of cute crass.
The Fear of Exploration
Straying from her poppy, faux reggae sound created on 2006’s Alright, Still tracks “Smile”, “LDN” and “Alfie”, Lily Allen adopts a more dance driven sound on new track “The Fear”.
While the change in musical direction shows growth and musical exploration, Allen continues to write sobering lyrics that cut to the bone of contemporary life.
Without mincing words, Allen comments on the artificiality of modern life, “I want to be rich and I want lots of money…. ,” she sings in the song’s opening before continuing with the verbal attack, “I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless / ‘Cuz everyone knows that’s how you get famous”.
It’s Not Me, It’s You
Like many young artists who have tasted tremendous success with an early album, the follow up contains a prescribed track about the perils of success and the difficult life of a star. “The Fear” is said-single.
However, instead of drooling off a list of reasons why life has become hard in the lime light, Lily Allen comments on the phoniness of it all, and how easy it is to buy into images and perceptions when mundane life becomes front page news.
Without self-pitying, “The Fear” points out the ridiculousness of stardom in catty lyrics such as “Now everything is cool as long as I’m getting thinner,” and just how out-of-touch celebrities become in their pursuit of the good life, “I heard people die while they are trying to find them” she sings after explaining how she wants tons of diamonds.
The Fear
“The Fear” shows a maturity that could be risqué for Lily Allen, an artist born from MySpace postings and catapulted into pop stardom in a very short time. Her rawer sound overshadows previous singles, even makes them pale by comparison, which could alienate older fans while attracting new.
That said Lily Allen proves on this single that she does not fear musical exploration or shy away from taking risks. A great single, released at a terrible time that deserves repeated listens.
“The Fear” previews Lily Allen’s new record, It’s Not Me Its You due in February 2009. Lily Allen will tour in support of her new record with opening act La Roux.
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