Sound: Radio-friendly (in sound, not necessarily in lyrical content) pop that frequently incorporates electro/synth/dance elements and occasionally works in Broadway, country, folk and jazz touches. The production is surprisingly slick compared to her debut album Alright, Still, but the safer sounds are somewhat balanced by the insightful, dark and weighty words delivered in her London accent.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Everyone’s At It”; “Him”; “Never Gonna Happen”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Not Fair”; “Back to the Start”; “22”
Recommended: The reggae, ska, new wave and hip-hop elements that permeated her debut album are non-existent, and it’s jarring to hear her deliver something this poppy. But her lyrical growth and depth (covering topics like drug addiction, celebrity culture, racism, God, the post-9/11 world, relationships and more) is often captivating and makes up for the music’s relative lack of edginess. It’s Not Me, It’s You will surely be one of the more thought provoking and substantive pop albums of the year.
Grade: B+

Listen to Tracks/Buy Music:
On iTunes
On amazon.com