Explicit Innocence

While Allen has been known for her controversial, straightforward lyrics with her previous album “Alright, Still,” she takes a more sentimental turn in her latest release, “It’s Not Me, It’s You.”

But ska fans need not despair –  there are plenty of electronic reggae beats offset by Allen’s surprisingly sweet voice, which makes the album more techno than laid-back.
Hit single “The Fear” is one of the best works on the album. Catchy notes render the melody highly unusual but utterly dance-worthy.

It seems almost counterintuitive that her saccharine, British accent-tainted voice sings badass lyrics such as “I’ll take my clothes off, and it will be shameless, ‘cause everyone knows it’s how you get famous.”

Surprisingly, what prevents the song from sounding disjointed is the broken beats and pop-rock vibes. If you can only listen to one song on the album, “The Fear” is not to be missed. 

Perhaps the best reason to embrace “It’s Not Me, It’s You” is the interplay between Allen’s soft, innocent voice, naughty lyrics and beat-heavy melodies. The unlikely combination of musical styles results in a decidedly fantastic album.