Effortless, bright, and bouncy, Lily Allen may have made the album of the northern summer with Alright, Still. The happy and joyous ska-pop feel of much of the music, most of it coming from ace producer Greg Kurstin, is contrasted with her lyrics, which take from the biting cynicism of Mike Skinner from the Streets.

As a vocalist, Allen is really neither here nor there – she barely mouths the words, infrequently changing register. But it WORKS. Single and album opener “Smile” is all bitter summer vibes, the break-up song. It’s the yang to the yin of “Littlest Things” which similarly stands out on Alright, Still because it feels so real; the tale of the relationship before it ends, and all the tiny details that matter so much.

“LDN” is another bright and bouncy pop tune perfect for summer in the English capital, while “Knock ‘Em Out” and “Not Big” are diss tracks to the boys in the bars. Shame For You” and “Friday Night” work better in terms of sheer longevity, while “Everything’s Just Wonderful” takes its cues from the opening to Are You Being Served? before it develops into another clever tune.

That’s what strikes so much about Alright, Still – there genuinely isn’t a flat track. The songs are filled with big, hooky choruses, and a cheeky sense of humour pervades each moment, save for the tender “Littlest Things” (which may be why this number stands out), which samples “Theme From Emmanuelle” and “Emmanuelle in the Mirror” by Piere Bachelet and Herve Roy. Then, before you know it, it’s all over. Alright, Still rushes by under forty minutes, coming and going and demanding a repeat listen almost immediately. It’s a clever, concise and catchy pop record.