Lily Allen {thanks, AP}

lily allen
It’s Not Me, It’s You
On “The Fear,” a standout from Lily Allen’s follow-up to 2006’s Alright, Still, the singer makes obvious observations about stardom sound downright heady: “I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless / ’cause everyone knows that’s how you get famous.”

But additional fame — and acclaim — should follow Allen as long as she keeps crafting cheeky, intelligent dance music that’s uniquely her own.

The Bird and the Bee’s Greg Kurstin deserves equal billing on the album — fusing ’80s electronica, an oom-pah-pah polka beat and playful sense of musical timing that matches his collaborator’s wit. It’s a solid contribution that helps Allen avoid a sophomore slump.

Allen performs at the 9:30 Club on April 17.

lisa hannigan
Sea Sew
You may not know her name, but her voice is instantly recognizable. Hannigan served as Irish folk singer Damien Rice’s female vocal counterpart for six years, featured prominently on the spectacular O and subpar 9, before Rice terminated the partnership in 2007.

Hannigan’s breathy vocals continue to captivate on this collection. And if there were loops and samples instead of traditional folk instruments, the album might have been filed as trip-hop.

Instead, an even more exotic sound emerges: Plucked strings on “I Don’t Know” build to the most fun chorus since Feist’s “1-2-3-4.” Xylophones lift “Lille,” helping to suppress the risk of listeners tearing up for a good cry. And “Keep it All” would work well as an unplugged Portishead song.

ruthie foster
The Truth According to Ruthie Foster
Album titles promoting an artist’s creative arrival can make one shudder at the embarrassing arrogance and hype of lofty expectations.

Thankfully, Texas soul/blues singer Ruthie Foster’s new album delivers on its title’s promise. Foster jumps right out of the Motown gate with the irresistible “Stone Love,” thanks to a vintage horn section. An especially bright note: Foster’s remarkable vocal command shines on the beautiful Patty Griffin cover, “When It Don’t Come Easy.”

Listen to the New Music Sampler with Erik at 6 and 8 a.m. Tuesday on 89.7 WTMD, listener-supported radio from Towson University

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.