Lily Allen‘s music director Blue May says the singer controlled how much she wanted to reveal on her latest album.
In an interview with PEOPLE, May discusses working on Allen’s new record West End Girl, which came out in October.
May says Allen made the key decisions about the album’s personal direction.
The music director explains that Allen was the one who decided how far to push boundaries with the project. May worked closely with the singer on shaping the sound and direction of the release.
“It was Lily’s choice how much she wanted to push it on the new LP,”
May tells PEOPLE.
The collaboration marks another chapter in Allen’s musical evolution.
West End Girl represents Allen’s latest artistic statement. The album explores personal themes while showcasing her continued musical growth.
May’s role as music director involved helping translate Allen’s vision into the final recordings. The working relationship allowed Allen to maintain creative control over how much of herself she revealed through the music.
The October release has been Allen’s first new material in several years.
Allen, now 39, had stepped back from regular recording before returning with this project. The singer’s decision to work with May on West End Girl reflects her commitment to the new material.
May emphasizes that throughout the recording process, Allen remained in charge of the album’s emotional depth and personal revelations.
The music director’s comments highlight Allen’s hands-on approach to her artistic choices. Rather than being guided by outside influences, Allen took ownership of how vulnerable she wanted to be on the record.
Industry observers have noted Allen’s return to music after focusing on other projects.
The singer had pursued acting and other ventures before deciding to record again. West End Girl marks her first studio album since 2018’s No Shame.
May’s interview provides insight into the collaborative process behind Allen’s comeback record. The music director’s role supported Allen’s vision while allowing her to set the boundaries for personal disclosure.
