Lily Allen, Just Another British Import?

Lily Allen, who was born Lily Rose Beatrice Allen, is a British pop star who is becoming a rising force here in the United States. Lily Allen's album, Alright, Still, which debuted in the U.K. on July 17, 2006 (even though a limited edition, 12" vinyl version was released on July 3, 2006 in the U.K.), has peaked at the number two spot on the British music charts. Lily Allen's stateside debut of Alright, Still sold about 34,000 copies the week of January 30, 2007, to give her a peak position of twenty on the American Billboard Music Charts.

As for her music style and lyrics, there is little in common with other girl power pop stars in the United States. Lily Allen's music is a genius mix of hip hop, pop, and ska, which makes for a unique listening experience in and of itself. When her lyrics are factored in, it brings the Lily Allen pop sound to a different level. Unlike many girl power groups, she doesn't sing about how girls can do anything they want, or any other real moral ground. Instead, Lily Allen focuses on reality and true to life experiences. Alright, Still, which features 11-14 tracks, depending on which version is picked up, features songs primarily about her real-life experiences; such as with 'Smile' (her first hit single off Alright, Still), which is a sweet revenge song about her ex-boyfriend and 'Knock 'Em Out', where she complains about guys picking up on her and friends at the pub, and how to get rid of them, since 'you can't knock 'em out'. The rest of the album ranges from topics such as her little brother and his penchant for a certain drug and lack of motivation, titled 'Alfie' after Lily Allen's real-life little brother, Alfie Owen-Allen, through the darker underside of city life in London, named 'LDN', which is set to a total contradictory happy, cheerful sound.

Here, in the United States, we got our first look at this original artist, on Saturday Night Live, February 3, 2007, when she performed 'Smile' and 'LDN'. But many of her fans, both stateside and back home in the U.K., have known her for years from her MySpace page. Before she had even recorded an album, Lily Allen was using the power and allure of the social networking site, MySpace, to start a fanbase. With links to her tracks, mostly demos, being emailed all over the world, and with music publications and review sites positively reviewing them, the buzz surrounding Lily Allen's Alright, Still grew to such heights that her record label had to change the album's release date.

Though she has many fans in the United States, Lily Allen is force that is going to be growing and, eventually, explode all over the American pop charts. Entertainment Weekly named Alright, Still one of the best albums of 2006, and many publications and sources claiming her to be one of the biggest rising stars of the year. Love her or hate her, most Americans should get used to seeing and hearing Lily Allen, since she will be around for some time to come.