Eliza Doolittle: From Lily Allen Comparisons to New Music | Evening Standard

Fifteen years after breakout hits like “Skinny Genes” and “Pack Up” propelled her to fame, Eliza Doolittle is revisiting the early days of her career – and the manufactured narrative that pitted her against Lily Allen. In a new interview, Doolittle, who now goes simply by Eliza, described feeling pressured by the music industry to engage in a feud that she says never existed. The conversation resurfaced as Eliza prepares to release her third album, a project she hopes will allow her to be seen as an individual artist, free from the comparisons that once overshadowed her work.

The parallels between Eliza and Allen were immediately apparent when Eliza Doolittle first emerged in 2010. Both are London-born singer-songwriters who gained attention for their bright, conversational pop songs delivered with a distinctive accent. Critics quickly labeled Eliza as the “next” Lily Allen, a framing that gained momentum when Allen herself publicly commented on the similarities. As The Standard reports, what began as media shorthand quickly took on a sharper edge in the press.

The Pressure to Pick a Side

Eliza recalls a specific incident where a journalist cornered her in a bathroom, explicitly urging her to criticize Lily Allen. “They definitely were trying to start a fight that I didn’t have in my heart or mind at all,” she told The Standard. This wasn’t simply about artistic comparison. it was a deliberate attempt to manufacture conflict for the sake of a story. The experience left Eliza feeling uncomfortable and frustrated, as she simply wanted to be recognized for her own unique voice.

This wasn’t the first time Eliza had expressed her discomfort with the comparisons. Back in 2010, she told RTÉ that she was “completely different” to Lily Allen and didn’t understand why people continued to draw parallels between their music. “We have a completely different style and anyone who actually listened to our music would recognize that, it’s nothing like what I do,” she stated at the time. This early assertion highlights a long-held desire to establish her own artistic identity.

Beyond the Headlines: A Struggle with Confidence

The pressure to conform to a pre-defined narrative took a toll on Eliza’s confidence. Despite achieving chart success with songs like “Pack Up,” she admits to feeling insecure about her talent. “I didn’t really know if I was any good or if anyone was really into my music,” she confessed to The Standard. “I didn’t believe it at the time even though we had ‘successes’ on paper.” This vulnerability reveals a stark contrast between public perception and her internal experience during those early years.

The situation was further complicated by a public response from Lily Allen herself. In 2011, Allen tweeted a somewhat cutting remark about Eliza, questioning her artistic direction and referencing a music video. Whereas Eliza acknowledged the comment, she chose not to engage in a public back-and-forth. “I don’t really get involved with the ‘he said, she said’ thing,” she told Newsbeat. “I just want to make good music.”

Navigating the Gendered Dynamics of Music Criticism

Eliza similarly touched on the broader issue of how female artists are often compared to one another, a dynamic she believes is more prevalent than with their male counterparts. “Girls are always going to be compared to each other, more than boys I think. I get it,” she said. This observation speaks to the systemic challenges faced by women in the music industry, where their work is frequently framed in relation to other female artists rather than being evaluated on its own merits.

From “Pack Up” to a New Chapter

Eliza Doolittle’s debut album, released in 2010, spawned the hit single “Pack Up,” which reached number five in the UK charts and sold over 200,000 copies. Her subsequent single, “Rollerblades,” was inspired by a confrontational encounter on the London Underground, as she recounted to Newsbeat. The song explores themes of self-doubt and projecting insecurities onto others. The success of these early singles established her as a prominent figure in the British pop scene, but also cemented the comparisons to Lily Allen that she actively resisted.

Eliza’s career has continued to evolve since her initial breakthrough. While details about her upcoming third album remain largely under wraps, her recent reflections suggest a renewed focus on artistic independence and self-expression. She’s clearly determined to move beyond the shadow of past comparisons and define herself on her own terms.

What’s on the Horizon for Eliza

The release of Eliza’s third album marks a significant moment in her career. It’s an opportunity to showcase her growth as an artist and present a more authentic representation of her musical vision. While a specific release date hasn’t been announced, the fact that she’s openly discussing the pressures of her past suggests a willingness to engage with her audience on a deeper level. The album’s success will likely hinge on her ability to connect with listeners through honest songwriting and a distinct artistic identity – something she’s been striving for since the beginning.