Blue May, a name increasingly recognized beyond music industry circles, has emerged as a pivotal force behind Lily Allen’s acclaimed album, ‘West End Girl.’ This astonishing record is not only generating significant buzz but is also being hailed by some as one of the best of the decade. May, serving as executive producer, masterfully orchestrated the musical delivery system for Allen’s candid and riveting personal revelations, creating an album that is both critically lauded and deeply engaging.
The Genesis of ‘West End Girl’
The journey to ‘West End Girl’ was a protracted one, spanning approximately five years before the project fully materialized. Blue May and Lily Allen initially connected around 2017 when May worked as her creative director for the ‘No Shame’ tour in 2018. This period fostered a significant level of trust, with May aiming to provide Allen with a positive touring experience after previous difficulties.
A prior attempt to create an album in New York during 2022 proved unsuccessful. May had aimed to recreate the intimate, two-person production style of Allen’s early records, but the timing wasn’t right, with Allen reportedly not in the best state of mind and feeling “blocked” creatively. The key difference for ‘West End Girl’ lay in Allen’s readiness and sobriety, which allowed her to be more open and confident in the studio.
May’s vision for ‘West End Girl’ was clear: to return to the fundamental “DNA” of Allen’s early music, characterized by major keys, playful “nursery-rhymey” melodies, and a touch of musical theater. However, this was juxtaposed with lyrics that reflected her reality as a 40-year-old mother of two, addressing contemporary themes with sharp, brutal honesty and self-deprecation.
Crafting Raw Emotion: A “Zero Metaphor” Approach
The album’s creation was remarkably swift, with the majority of the material written and recorded in an intense 10-day stint in December 2023, followed by a few more days in February to complete the remaining tracks. Allen arrived at the sessions with 18 song titles, chronologically detailing her experiences over the previous five years, which served as the roadmap for the album.
The collaborative process involved Allen recounting “gory details” of her stories, which then inspired the musical direction and sounds. This approach leaned heavily into direct, literal expression, with May noting, “It’s a whole record of pretty much zero metaphor.” Songwriters like Chloe Angelides, Kito, Violet Skies (Hannah Berney), and Jeremy Malvin (Chrome Sparks) contributed, often starting melodies and placeholder lyrics that Allen would then meticulously edit and infuse with her unique voice and “punchlines.”
Notable examples of this candid approach include:
- “Just Enough”: This stark ballad, one of the first songs written, captures complete despair and features Allen’s raw, original vocal from the first session.
- “Tennis”: Written on the same day as “Just Enough,” this track offers a pastiche of Allen’s early work, blending heartbreak with humor.
The Theatricality of ‘West End Girl’
‘West End Girl’ seamlessly integrates theatrical elements, particularly through its use of spoken word. The album’s opening track, “West End Girl,” plunges listeners into a minute-and-a-half-long phone call, a bold choice that immediately commands attention and sets the tone for the album’s raw intimacy.
This approach was also seen in “Madeline,” which features a spoken email exchange. Allen’s background in stage acting, including roles in ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’ and ‘The Pillowman,’ demonstrably influenced her delivery, timing, and ability to embody different personas. May describes her as a “genius” in understanding how to “spin things in little ways that just kind of catch,” bringing an “acting slant” to the recordings.
The music beds often play for irony, enhancing the narrative. For instance, “Tennis” begins with a homogenized “Sunday afternoon” background music feel, contrasting with the heartbreaking story it tells. Similarly, “Dallas Major” evokes a ’90s New York club vibe, a playful backdrop for lyrics about dating and creating profiles.
Behind the Scenes: A Secretive Production
A distinctive aspect of ‘West End Girl’s production was the decision to create it in secrecy. The album was not commissioned by the label, and no advances were paid upfront. This allowed May and Allen the freedom to develop the project without external pressure or interference. The record was completed and mixed before being presented to BMG, with May and Allen’s manager making the strategic decision to finish it entirely before seeking label backing.
The sessions took place in May’s home studio in the Hollywood Hills, which was adapted into recording spaces. May purposely created a “fleshed-out pop room” with multiple writers and producers to alleviate pressure on Allen, particularly as she was navigating newfound sobriety. This collective approach allowed collaborators to “put noise in the room,” offering melodies and lyrics that Allen would then transform with her distinctive voice and unfiltered honesty, injecting her signature “crude” and “raw” elements.
Musicality and Emotional Resonance
Despite the often heavy subject matter, ‘West End Girl’ is designed to be a pop record that connects with a wide audience and offers repeat listenability. May aimed for the album to initially “move people, scare people, shock people,” and eventually settle into something that can “just exist as a part of people’s lives that doesn’t always have to be a heavy listen.”
The music itself is deeply intertwined with Allen’s emotional narrative. “Ruminating,” for example, uses a sped-up Korg Triton drumbeat to mimic the repetitive, anxious thoughts of someone grappling with painful news. “Pussy Palace” employs sounds to convey a sudden, overwhelming flood of reality.
Even with its profound emotional depth, the album doesn’t shy away from being musically compelling. “Relapse,” a “heartbreaking” song about being pushed to the edge of sobriety, is also described by May as a “fucking banger,” showcasing a distinct British sound.
Conclusion
Lily Allen’s ‘West End Girl’ stands as a testament to radical honesty and artistic collaboration, largely thanks to the meticulous vision of producer Blue May. The album’s critical success has propelled May into a new echelon of recognition, with possibilities for future high-profile collaborations. For Lily Allen, the album represents a powerful re-establishment of her artistic voice, demonstrating her unique ability to transform intensely personal experiences into universally resonant pop music. May hopes Allen can fully embrace her status as an “important career artist” who has influenced countless others to be truthful and unapologetically themselves in their art.
