MySpace may or may not be a haven for child predators and obnoxious 15-year-old girls, but it also launched the career of one of the year's best new musicians: 21-year-old Lily Allen.
Allen's record label tried to make her work with professional songwriters, hoping to turn her into a proper pop star.
Allen retaliated by posting songs she wrote on her own to her MySpace profile. These demos created so much buzz - more than 3 million plays at last count - that her debut single "Smile" became a surprise No. 1 hit on the U.K. charts.
"Smile," the first track on her album "Alright, Still," reached in-the-know hipsters and music bloggers in the U.S. as well. Now, Allen is preparing to win hearts and ears in America by releasing an expanded version of the album next week.
"Smile" is the best track on the album - an irresistibly catchy song about delighting in an ex-boyfriend's misery. Although it will be coming out in the coldest months here, it still sounds like summer. Allen won't let anything get her down, especially not a stupid breakup.
There are also brief flashes of a darker attitude. But the record is generally dominated by Allen's trademark feisty wit, self-deprecating humor, and charming delivery.
She may prove to be a little too British for mainstream audiences Stateside, but open-minded listeners should find "Alright, Still" a welcome blast of sunny fun to combat this chilly Arizona winter.
"Alright, Still" is in stores Jan. 30.
Reach the reporter at:samuel.gavin@asu.edu.
