Lily Allen review, The Dome, London: An intimate gig shows her grown up, sensitive side

After four years, her latest album ‘No Shame’ is a more matured Lily – but don't think that means she's not colourfully telling you what she thinks

Sensitive she may sound, but she's still got the bling, the clashing colours and trainers (Getty)

It’s hard to believe we’re anticipating Lily Allen’s fourth album. She’s been around for what feels like forever. Well, since 2006 when Alright, Still, her first album was released.

Her music, for many, would have formed the anthems to their youth; poppy songs with a real edge and a “f**k you” attitude.

Her latest album No Shame is set to be released in June after a four-year hiatus. But, satisfyingly it’s worth the wait. It’s the Lily Allen we all know and love – but a bit smoother.

It’s supposed to be her grown-up album, away from her bold, brash and often rather cheeky self of yesteryear. And that it is, but don’t expect that to mean she won’t still say what she thinks, peppered with a handful of expletives, too.

Tonight is her second night of three UK shows before heading off to Europe and America. She’s more nervous tonight than she was last night in Manchester, she admits followed by a shy giggle.

The Dome in north London’s Tufnell Park is a small and intimate venue, which is rather admirable of Lily to choose, really. Although she’s been off the scene for a while, she surely could have sold out a much larger venue.

But it seems the small size is for the fans. The room is no larger than a typical town hall and even at the back, you feel Lily is speaking to you. She’s sincere and tender and wanting to be liked.

She opens with “Higher” from her new album, and is full of smiles as the crowd whoops throughout. It’s a hazy, slowed-down melody that points to her more vulnerable side – a real sidestep from the Lily we knew before.

It’s followed by two more new tracks: “Come On Then”, with the lines, “I’m a bad mother, I’m a bad wife ... If you go on record saying you know me, then why am I so lonely, coz nobody f***ing phones me”; and “Lost My Mind”, which she says, “I’ve been doing a lot of lately”.

Both tracks and lyrics point to the album being an honest look back on the breakdown of her marriage with Sam Cooper.

“I’ve not played this one in ages,” she says, hinting that coming next is a classic, which is “Knock ‘Em Out”. “It’s so weird to do that song,” Lily admits. “It’s like listening to my 19-year old self.” And she’s right; her voice has changed. It’s less harsh, more mellow and defined.

The highlight songs from the new album come from “Apples”, which she (quite amazingly) admits was born from liking Stormzy’s “Cigarettes and Cush”. “ I basically stole it and wrote a song like it,” she says, about having sex and smoking fags. She offers a curtsey at the end of the song, evidently proud.

“Three” is a sweet song from the viewpoint of her “baby girls” about missing their mum: “You say you’re going, but you don’t say how long for. You say it’s for work, but I’m not sure … Please don’t go, stay here with me.” Afterwards she jokes: “Everyone thinks I’m being sentimental, but really, I’m gunning for a mobile phone contract.”

“Family Man” is the most heartfelt from the album, which is all about her divorce. But a few songs later, she dedicates “Pushing Up Daisies” to her new boyfriend in the crowd, shouting “love you” to before recoiling: “God, I’m so cringe.”

And it would not be Lily if she weren't’t making some sort of political stance, somehow. “I wrote this song about 10 years ago, about another arsehole who now has a different job. But it can be dedicated to another arsehole, Theresa”, she blares, before singing “Fuck You” which was originally about George W Bush.

“Trigger Bang”, first leaked in December 2017, is the first of a trio of encores and includes a live performance from rapper Giggs, who features on the track.

She’s humble in her thanks: “You’ve been so good listening to all these tracks you’ve never heard before.” The crowd are rewarded for their patience with “The Fear” and an almighty sing-along for “Not Fair”.

Despite not releasing any music for four years, Lily’s trio of intimate gigs around the country had sold out quickly – and no doubt a huge push comes from the nostalgia for her bop-along reggae and ska infused tunes with catchy lyrics.

But her new album is still her. She’s grown up, moved on and we can tell. It’s good to have her back.