Lily Allen: Alright, Still

If the Artic Monkey’s paint a vivid picture of the Northern working class youth culture of the mid noughties then Lily wittingly holds a mirror to the same culture from a more Southern and feminine perspective. This is not an album that I expected to like at all and anyone who knows me may be surprised to see it this years list, but I like to try and have an open mind whenever possible (although I remain firmly closed to Saturday night talent show contestants and Bon Jovi). Lily’s lyrics are risqué, witty and surprisingly intelligent and the music is catchy and well crafted and I’m glad I put aside my prejudices as the album has a worthy place in this year’s list.