Lily Allen performing at Glastonbury in 2022

Lily Allen has returned to the music scene after a seven-year absence, with what just might be her most personal album to date.

A week ago, the chart-topping singer announced her fifth album West End Girl was on the way, telling British Vogue the release was “inspired by what went on in the relationship” with her now- husband David Harbour, who she married in 2020, and with whom she was reported to have parted ways last year.

West End Girl came out on Friday, and has already received a wave of praise due to her confessional lyrics, although critics seem more split on the longevity of the songs, which span a number of different genres including flamenco, reggae, bossa nova, acoustic ballad and, of course, pure pop.

Here’s a selection of what’s been said about the release by critics so far…

The Independent (5/5)

“A brutal, tell-all masterpiece [...] the bewildered and wounded Allen wrote West End Girl in 10 days. It shows, in the best way. This musical of deceit and suffering puts her in the starring role, seizing control of her narrative and holding little back. Those distinctive, creamy vocals sound sad and deflated, as if she’s processing in real time. Seven years since her last album, this intense story-driven format lets........

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