Is No Shame a good place to start with Lily Allen?

Yes, No Shame is recommended as a starting point for new Lily Allen listeners. An introspective blend of pop and R&B, laced with sharp observations and confessional lyrics that reflect personal and societal struggles. No Shame is Lily Allen's fourth studio album, released after a four-year hiatus following Sheezus in 2014. At this point in her career, Allen was navigating public scrutiny and personal challenges, including motherhood and previous controversies, which deeply informed the album's lyrical content.

No Shame works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective moments, candid lyrics for personal connection and for casual gatherings.

How many songs are on No Shame?

No Shame has 14 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

No Shame

Lily Allen · 2018

51 min · 14 tracks · contemporary R&B

An introspective blend of pop and R&B, laced with sharp observations and confessional lyrics that reflect personal and societal struggles.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Trigger Bang — This track features a collaboration with Giggs, blending Allen's introspective lyrics with his grime-infused delivery, highlighting the album's exploration of vulnerability in a tough urban context.
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Everything to Feel Something — A poignant ballad that captures the essence of longing and emotional complexity, showcasing Allen’s vocal range and lyrical depth as she confronts internal conflicts.
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Come On Then Start here — Opening the album with an upbeat tempo, it sets the tone for the exploration of self-empowerment and assertiveness while maintaining a playful yet introspective vibe.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album's blend of personal themes and varied production creates an engaging yet uneven listening experience.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that blend pop and R&B, while the second half shifts to more introspective ballads.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, adding a conversational tone to the lyrics.
The production varies significantly between tracks, with some featuring electronic beats and others relying on acoustic instrumentation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective moments
candid lyrics for personal connection
for casual gatherings
uplifting tracks with relatable themes

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy dance tracks
prefering longer immersive experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and maturity after a four-year hiatus.
Themes: divorce aftermath· mental health struggles· London nightlife· emotional authenticity
Career context: No Shame is Lily Allen's fourth studio album, released after a four-year hiatus following Sheezus in 2014. At this point in her career, Allen was navigating public scrutiny and personal challenges, including motherhood and previous controversies, which deeply informed the album's lyrical content.
Stylistic neighbors: Kate Nash· Paloma Faith· Charli XCX