Singles

Lily Allen - Littlest Things

Abigail Outwhaite 12/12/2006

Rating: 2/5

Contrasted against the headline-chasing antics of the Primrose Hill set's offspring, Lily Allen is a breath of fresh air. Several sizes above '0', chavvy, and happy to be photographed dressed in a dinosaur costume, she has become the pop princess everyone loves to tolerate.

It is for this reason that we can forgive her for the mediocre, almost girl band worthy flaws of 'Littlest Things'. Hyped as 'the only love song' she's ever penned, it is, admittedly, difficult to imagine Lily releasing an album of lovelorn teenage poetry, so this blatant spin can be forgiven and -at least partially- believed.

Uncharacteristically melancholy and yet still somehow optimistic, 'Littlest Things' opens with rhythmic, plinky piano that is extremely reminiscent of the intro in The Beatles' 'Let It Be'. As the first verse begins, the piano becomes the focal point of the song, sounding almost as though it has been previously composed, pressed to vinyl and played into the microphone during recording. Lyrically, it details Lily's retrospective musings on a young -seemingly first- love coming to an end.

The sadness and naivety of lines like "there's no one else in the world who could ever replace you" gives the pint sized popster a layer of humanity, which juxtaposes her usually sardonic air and makes for slightly uncomfortable, yet sympathetic listening- rather like walking in on your uncle crying. In light of "Alright, Still's” other tracks, it is not yet possible to throw her in with the likes of Paris Hilton et al, but this is dangerous territory.