Lily Allens’ sophomore album may be a rarity among pop albums - it may be important

The last decade produced a group of female artists who have, at best, confused and diluted the definition of pop. The first word to describe Lily Allen’s first album, “Alright Still,” was cute. It’s easy to focus on the bouncy, reggae tinged melodies of “Smile,” the first single released in 2006. It’s easy to gossip about hair and style and the beef Lily had with Amy Winehouse or Lady Sovereign.

With all these distractions from the content of her music, the easiest part is to overlook her work with Robbie Williams, Dizzee Rascal and Basement Jaxx. Not to mention production on her first album by Mark Ronson (producer of Williams, Winehouse, Adele and brother to DJ Samantha Ronson).

Lily Allen, Britain’s darling, in 2006 released a debut album that was catchy, smart and commercially successful.

In 2009, the music industry is more chaotic than ever. Pop music is more disposable than ever.

Yet with her sophomore effort, “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” Lily Allen managed to make what seems to be a paradox: an important pop album.

Allen and Greg Kurstin (Kurstin is half of the band The Bird and the Bee) wrote and produced “It’s Not Me” by themselves.

By limiting the creation process to just two people, the album created a more focused, singular feel. Still versatile, the musical style flows between radio-friendly to electro-pop to world influenced.

Several tracks could compete for time on the dance floor next to the likes of Rihanna, Britney or Lady Gaga.

Lead single “The Fear” reflects the lessons learned from the instant rise to celebrity status and the resulting backlash. Allen grasped taken the ugly side of fame and pointed her lyrics back at her audience. Her topics range from politics, age discrimination and drugs to complaining about food and men.

Some of Allen’s most poignant and critical lyrics on the album resound within the happiest sounding tunes.

“It’s Not Me, It’s You” is an important album because it shows that pop music can exist outside of the predefined notion that all pop music is rubbish, suitable for a few weeks of radio play, .

With a solid second album, Lily Allen poised herself to rise above other artists who would be called contemporaries. She also has proven that she can be cute and smart.

I recommend checking out these tracks: “Everyone’s At It,” “The Fear,” and “22.”

So far, Allen has won four international awards in various categories in three years.

By Zachary Santschi Contributing Writer