When she was 22 the future looked bright...

Want a catchy little pop song that articulates your youthful discontent? The spunky Lily Allen has just the track you're looking for. So put on that old prom dress with your favorite Chuck Taylors and dance along. It's so deceptively poppy, you'll almost forget you don't have a job or a date. Almost.

22 - Lily Allen

Guess who's Keith Cheggers

Oh, and in case you didn't hear, 22-year-old Lily Allen is pregnant by 37-year old Ed Simons, of the Chemical Brothers.

Gossipy, gossipy!

Lily Allen @ Roseland Ballroom, NYC 6/12/07

Don't believe everything you read. Case in point - The New York Daily News' review of Tuesday's Lily Allen concert (scroll down the page a bit). Lily was nothing but charming and endearing. Believe me, I was actually there to witness it. Her performance was NOT erratic and her start-time was not unpunctual. (Her publicist confirmed with CMJ that Lily was going on around 9:30 prior to the show).

Romping around in a poofy white prom dress and matching Chuck Taylors, she was every bit as adorable as you’d imagine, even in New York's cavernous, acoustically-awkward Roseland Ballroom. Yes, she forgot a handful of lyrics and stared at cheat-sheets which littered the stage, but she apologized profusely and won the adoring crowd over nonetheless. It's ok, Lily. We think you're alright, still.

You're nasty, please leave me alone...

Lily Allen's been rocking 'tween "reggrime" in the UK since last summer but we Yanks had to wait until January to get our grubby paws on her. Her debut album, Alright, Still... has been hailed as a relief from the hyper-saccharine girl pop drowning any sensibility out of the top 40 on either side of the pond. It's not unfair to make a comparison to the snarky sensibilities of Nellie McKay, down to the in-your-face insistence to Get Away From Me.

A light, summery album boasting fresh, reggae-infused dancey hits is prime for club remixing or just singing aloud to in the car, windows rolled down. The potty-mouth lyrics and comic-book-esque album art remind you not to take this BS too hard: it's just music after all. With deeper fare than pop princess produce but not as inaccessible as Lady Sovereign, this comedian's daughter pokes light at lame pick-up attempts, getting revenge at lame boyfriends and the facade people put on.

This track showcases Allen's satiny voice both singing and matter-of-factly stating (in thick Cockney! iieee!) a litany of excuses to escape unwanted attention. With sprinkly piano and an almost ska beat, by the end you'll be laughing along with her about the ridiculousness of the situation on both ends.

Lily Allen - Knock 'Em Out.mp3
Buy Alright, Still...
Also, check out her Myspace.