I really liked Lily Allen's first album "Alright, Still" [2006]. It had a lot of catchy pop tunes with fun lyrics. I saw her live on Roskilde Festival in 2009 some months after the release of her second album "It's Not Me, It's You" [2009]. After that I lost interest in her musical doings. Fast forward to 2025.
I read a bit about her new album somewhere and decided to give it a chance and a spin on Tidal. For some weird reason it doesn't get a physical release until January 2026, but I have already pre-ordered the LP, because I really like this new album.
Musically it is still catchy pop tunes with lots of variation and she still sings with a very British accent. It is a bit of a concept album this time, describing the events that led to Lily's separation/divorce from her husband, American actor David Harbour (known from "Stranger Things").
"So I read your text, and now I regret it
I can't get my head ’round how you've been playing tennis
If it was just sex, I wouldn't be jealous
You won't play with me
And who the fuck is Madeline?"
I have no idea how many of the events in the lyrics that are taken from real life and how many that are just made-up fantasy, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. It is hilarious, tragic, emotional, and very entertaining. It is not a deep album, but it is certainly a fun take on what happens when a relationship goes astray and ends in a break up.
"So I go by Dallas Major, but that's not really my name
You know, I used to be quite famous, that was way back in the day
Yes, I'm here for validation and I probably should explain
How my marriage has been opened since my husband went astray"
This is easily the funniest divorce album of 2025 and it doesn't hurt that it is easily digestible and full of catchy pop tunes. I have been listening to the album for many hours in the last 5 weeks or so, and it certainly has replay value.
Rating: 
Band: Lily Allen
Record Title: West End Girl
This Release: 2025
RunTime: 45
Record Format: Streaming
Extra Info:
- LP and CD release in January 2026
TrackList:
- West End Girl
- Ruminating
- Sleepwalking
- Tennis
- Madeline
- Relapse
- Pussy Palace
- 4chan Stan
- Nonmonogamummy (feat. Specialist Moss)
- Just Enough
- Dallas Major
- Beg For Me
- Let You W/In
- Fruityloop
Content Type: Record Review
Language: 
Updated: 2025-12-14 16:04
Created: 2025-12-14 15:40
