Sheezus Returns

Lily Allen // Warner Brother Records

After an almost three year hiatus, two kids, and a wedding for Lily Allen, she is back with her third album, Sheezus which debuted on May 2 in the U.K.  Lily is definitely known for her cheeky, and sometimes even scathing, social commentary in her songs from her past albums Alright, Still (2006) and It's Not Me, It's You (2009) and 2014's Sheezus is no exception.   While Allen's transition into motherhood and marriage in her personal life is definitely evident in songs like L8 CMMR, As Long As I Got You, Close Your Eyes, and Life for Me, she still has her fighting spirit which is apparent throughout the entire album.  Songs like Insincerely Yours,  URL Badman, and Hard Out Here are just as feisty as their predecessors, if not possibly more direct in their criticisms and snark.  She also has reminded us that she isn't afraid to attack a myriad of genres in her albums, from the M.I.A-esque anthem Air Balloon, the dubstep/electro drops in URL Badman, early 00's pop of As Long As I Got You, to the down-tempo R&B inspired Take My Place.
While sometimes this album can definitely feel disjointed (I originally thought it felt as if it would be better suited to being two EPs instead), you're led to believe that maybe it's just the track arrangement that is letting you down as it bounces back and forth from gritty and catchy to sweet and down-tempo.  However, after a few more listens you begin to grow accustomed to the album's layout, though I'm still not sure if it will ever feel like a whole album of smooth transitions.  Then, after a few listens you start to realise this album's four hardest-hitting tracks (Sheezus, L8 CMMR, Air Balloon, and Hard Out Here) are invading your brain, if not also forming a super song of catchy hooks for you to sing all day.    Having been out of the game for a while, one would worry that Lily would have possibly lost touch, but Sheezus puts these worries to rest.  While she may still be getting her groove back in its entirety, she definitely has a lot left to give us and this album is definitely worth your time.