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Stepping out of the spotlight for a while, after her second Lily Allen became a mother and took an extended break from music. But after having engaged in a twitter fight with rapper Azealia Banks, Allen was inspired to head back to the studio and write her third studio album, Sheezus.
The product of that initial inspiration was controversial comeback track 'Hard Out Here', an attack on the treatment of women in the music industry. It is this ability to divide opinions so rapidly that propelled Allen into stardom years ago. Sadly, 'Hard Out Here' is one of very few pot-stirring tracks on 'Sheezus'.
Strongly lacking in coherence, 'Sheezus' is a testament to the fact that whether it's a good thing or not, four years can be a long time to wait to release an album in the pop world. There is a distinct feeling of confusion as to whether or not Allen is trying to make a sudden change in her lyrical appeal or stay true to her previous releases.
'URL Badman' and 'Insincerely, Yours' do a fantastic job of providing biting commentary on social media and celebrity culture in 2014 and it is this kind of unrestrained social commentary that attracted people to Allen when 'Alright, Still' was released.
But Allen, after stating that she doesn't 'give a f**k about Delevingne or that Rita girl' propels into songs such as 'As Long As I Got You' and 'Take My Place' that feel far too twee, both sonically and lyrically. Soft country influences that creep into these tracks don't feel potent enough to not skip and the same is applicable to the lyrics; that don't feel powerful or opinionated enough to be on a Lily Allen record.
Whether you like her opinions or not, it has always been clear that Lily Allen has had plenty of them. She still does, and they are just as contentious as before. It's just a shame that they don't feature as heavily this time around.
