Lily Allen – West End Girl Review: A Vicious, Vulnerable, and Victorious Comeback

Lily Allen’s West End Girl marks a powerful return, blending sharp pop with raw emotion in a stunning comeback album.

A Comeback Worth Waiting For

If you’ve been keeping an ear to the ground, you probably felt the buzz when Lily Allen reemerged on stage with Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury Festival 2022. That electric duet on Allen’s 2009 firecracker “Fuck You” reignited the flame for a pop icon who once fearlessly ruled the airwaves. For those of us who grew up with her sharp, witty lyrics and infectious tunes, it was a potent reminder that Lily’s still got that fearless spark.

Her early albums, 2006’s Alright, Still and 2009’s It’s Not Me, It’s You, were more than just records; they were blueprints for the next generation. Artists like Joy Crookes, PinkPantheress, and Billie Eilish have all drawn from her candid, conversational songwriting style. But as much as those early years defined her, the road since has been a wild ride.

From Pop Star to Stage Star and Back Again

Allen’s third album, Sheezus, felt like a bit of an identity crisis. Released in 2014, it didn’t quite capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of her first two albums. Then came 2018’s No Shame, an underrated electropop gem that hinted at growth and maturity but didn’t quite set the charts on fire.

Since then, Lily’s talents have expanded far beyond music. She’s become a celebrated figure on stage and screen, harnessing her charisma in new ways. Plus, her sharp wit has been on display co-hosting the Miss Me? podcast (which she recently stepped away from), all while making headlines with her outspoken views. Still, despite all these ventures, the music never stopped flowing — it just didn’t feel right to release until now.

“It was observational stuff about the internet and the world. It just seemed really obvious and crap.”
– Lily Allen

West End Girl: The Album That Couldn’t Wait

Enter West End Girl, an album written and recorded in a whirlwind 10 days following the personal upheaval of her split from Stranger Things star David Harbour. This record is sleek, smart, and above all, deeply honest. It’s a refreshing return to the experimental electronics, chirpy dance beats, and infectious pop hooks that made Lily a crossover icon in the 2000s — but with a modern twist that refuses to rest on nostalgia alone.

The album kicks off with its dreamy, musical theatre-inspired title track, setting the tone for what’s essentially a slow-burn breakup story told from Allen’s perspective. She doesn’t hold back—there’s talk of finding a “pussy palace” stocked with “sex toys, butt plugs, lube [and] hundreds of Trojans,” offering a raw, unfiltered glimpse into her personal life that’s as brave as it is captivating.

Heartbreak Never Sounded So Good

Lily has always had a remarkable knack for making heartbreak sound thrilling rather than tragic. On West End Girl, the grief and vulnerability run deep, but the music never dips into despair. Take the pulsating rage of “Ruminating,” where Allen wrestles with the complexities of open marriage, or the dizzying swirl of emotions in “Madeline,” an anthem for the other woman that’s equal parts fury and empathy.

And then there’s “Just Enough,” absolutely crushing with its lush strings — it’s heartbreak amplified into something cinematic and deeply moving. Listening feels like a much-needed purge, a catharsis set to danceable rhythms.

Love, Loss, and Late-30s Dating

Delving even deeper, West End Girl explores the intricacies of love and personal expectations. “Relapse” rumbles with the pressure of living up to others’ standards, while “Nonmonogamummy” brings a joyful funk to dating woes in your late thirties, complete with the art of people-pleasing. The album’s narrative sharpens on “Beg For Me,” where Allen lays out exactly what she wants from a relationship, flowing seamlessly into “Let You W/in,” a track that refuses to take nonsense.

The smirking clarity of “Fruityloop” ties everything together, even nodding back to her earlier work on It’s Not Me, It’s You. By the album’s close, it’s clear this chapter of love is over—but Lily Allen’s comeback story is just beginning.

Album Details

Credit: Nieves González

• Record Label: BMG
• Release Date: October 24, 2025

Wrapping It Up

Lily Allen’s West End Girl is more than just a comeback — it’s a statement. Vicious and vulnerable, smart and sleek, it captures the messy, beautiful contradictions of love and life with a pop star’s panache that still feels fresh and fearless. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, this album proves why Lily Allen remains a vital voice in music.

FAQ

• What inspired Lily Allen’s album West End Girl?
  The album was inspired by the breakdown of her marriage, capturing raw emotions and personal stories, written and recorded in just 10 days.
• How does West End Girl compare to Lily Allen’s earlier work?
  It blends the experimental electronics and pop hooks of her early albums with a modern, deeply personal edge, avoiding simple nostalgia.
• What themes are explored on West End Girl?
  The album dives into heartbreak, open relationships, dating in your late thirties, and personal growth with unflinching honesty.
• Who has Lily Allen influenced with her music?
  Artists like Joy Crookes, PinkPantheress, and Billie Eilish have cited her conversational songwriting as inspiration.
• What other projects has Lily Allen been involved with recently?
  Besides music, she has gained acclaim on stage and screen and co-hosted the Miss Me? podcast before stepping away to focus on her music.

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