Lily Allen’s comeback bares all. West End Girl is the 2025 album we needed

The seven year hiatus of Lily Allen's musical career left fans thinking that music was in her past. But on the 24th of October she released the album we did not know we needed, and perhaps, her best album yet. However, I will always stick by that It’s Not Me, It’s You and The Fear can never be outdone.

As a weekly listener of her podcast, Miss me? with her childhood best friend, Miquita Oliver, she bares all with no shame. The five star rated BBC sounds podcast left Lily Allen fans and new recruits startled but equally in awe of the honest and refreshing take Allen and Oliver took on the world and their own personal lives. It left listeners feeling heard by two friends on the other end of the phone.

And so, when Allen announced that she would be stepping down from the podcast for a while, with the equally inspiring Jordan Stephens of Rizzle Kicks as her replacement, we all were left wondering, why? Was it more theatre plays? A need for a break? Being a mum? Hoping for music, however, was not on the cards. But fooled we were, and so brilliantly.

West End Girl is a musically genius, thrilling, candid, raw album leaving not much to the imagination. A courageous break-up album, she leaves those, like Allen, that feel betrayed by their relationship, with 14 songs of free therapy. Yes, Allen is like a jar of marmite, you love or hate her, and I love marmite. The pop artistry, lyrics, beats, mixture of musical genres, shows Allen is up to the task at hand - remaining relevant.

It’s hard to ignore the inspiration behind this album, her ex-husband, David Harbour. We’re left wondering if it’s a story far too familiar. The seven year hiatus linked to her relationship - overshadowed by a man.

But through music, she unravels the realities of her marriage - cheating, career jealousy; her success in the West End (hence the title). And shoutouts to Madeline. We’re left wondering, who is Madeline?

After 44 minutes of the Allen renaissance, she has selflessly reminded us that the glass is always half full. A girl-boss moment which she owed to herself - with no remorse for the damaged image Harbour might face. Deserved. Amen.

This album is a testament to her as a pop artist and songwriter, a talent that cannot be reckoned with and a reminder that honesty is always the best policy.