Lily Allen

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Lily Allen

Album: It's Not Me, It's You

Label: Capitol

Genre: Pop

Comments: Let me share some personal bias: I believe that Lily Allen is one of the best things happening in pop music not (currently) affiliated with Kanye West. Her debut album, 2006's Alright, Still, was full of ska-inspired gems laced with electronic beats; It's Not Me, It's You flips that formula around, with synth beats winning out over ska hooks. As a songwriter, Allen is very good (not great, but very good), and as usual she's at her best while being sweetly malicious ("Back to the Start," "Not Fair") or feigning naivete ("The Fear"). Yet even the tracks with weaker lyrics are enjoyable to listen to, thanks to the music and Allen's terrific voice. Another fine effort from this MySpace phenom leaves me asking just one question: Why can't all pop music sound like this?