Lily Allen

It’s easy to forget Lily Allen was an amazing pop star before she became a gossip headline. Funny, clever and vital, that she birthed a clutch of poor imitators – the inglorious Mini Allens – speaks volumes. ‘I Could Say’ and ‘I Don’t Know’ are kiss-offs to the Lily of old, as the former trades schoolgirl put-downs for a wise, heavy-hearted look back at an ex-lover while the latter is a parody of the person the papers think she’s become. Meanwhile, the music’s ditched a carefree abandon in favour of a massive, expansive soundscape. Growing up in public never sounded better.

Priya Elan