There may be no sweeter voice in pop music than Lily Allen's. The London-born singer-songwriter's voice is clear as a bell, pretty and dulcet. And then you listen to her lyrics, which offer rage, frustration, heartbreak and just plain satire of our consumerist, cruel culture, and suddenly that voice isn't as sweet anymore.
Allen has been in this game a long time, releasing her debut album, Alright, Still, in 2006. Her breakout single from the album was 'Smile' ("When you first left me I was wanting more/ But you were fucking that girl next door... At first when I see you cry/ It makes me smile"), which let her fans know what they were really in for. Her biting lyrics contrast with the singsong nature of her music and the prettiness of her voice, an irresistible combination.
After a turbulent few years, during which she endured a terrifying stalker, her pregnancy ended in stillbirth and her marriage ended in divorce, Allen is back with a new album, No Shame. She's touring the album, which she describes as some of her most "honest and heartbreaking music ever".
Tickets go on sale September 11 (presale September 6, for those who sign up to Frontier Touring).
