Electro-pop diva Lily Allen released her second album It’s Not Me, It’s You last month, giving fans of the U.K. singer a reason to rejoice.

For those of you unfamiliar with Allen, her 2006 debut album, Alright, Still, sold more than 2.5 million copies and established the then-20-year-old London-based singer/songwriter as a bona fide star. The appeal of Alright, Still centered around Allen’s cheeky exploration of the Euro party scene, with witty, biting lyrics wrapped in danceable techno-beats.

The same sharp, cynical edge is found on the 12 tracks of It’s Not Me, It’s You, though Allen has broadened her targets this time around.

The opening track, “Everyone’s At It,” pokes fun at society’s reliance on anti-depressants. The album’s first single, “The Fear,” takes on consumer culture and the cult of celebrity.

Allen declares herself “a weapon of massive consumption,” and sings “Life’s about film stars / and less about mothers / it’s all about fast cars /and cussing each other.”

Other songs cover racism, God and clueless men. This would be heavy stuff if it wasn’t done with such incisive comedy and coated in bubbly synthesizers.

Allen’s approach to songwriting is unique. Teaming up again with producer Greg Kurstin, she has him build up lush chords and drum tracks and simply improvises lyrics over top of them.

Allen says, “I just sing along and make up the words, and then once we’ve got the bare song, we decide which way we’re going to go with the production.”

Allen is akin to a great stand-up comic who riffs like a rap star. Her flirty voice and light sound allow the message to shine through the music.

By Robert Rossiello