Overview
- Released on Oct. 24, West End Girl is Allen’s first album in seven years and centers on the breakup of her four-year marriage, with lyrics about an open arrangement and alleged breaches.
- Media reports identified the lyric character “Madeline” as costume designer Natalie Tippett, who told the Daily Mail she has heard the song and called the attention “a little bit scary” given her family.
- Allen has told The Times that “Madeline” is a fictional construct drawn from multiple people and that the album blends lived experience with artistic license.
- Harbour has not addressed the specific claims and, per recent reports, has disabled comments on his social media; he previously told GQ he would not engage with tabloid speculation.
- Allen thanked fans on Instagram for support, as coverage highlighted the album’s explicit storytelling and critical notices including a four-star NME review and public praise from Gwyneth Paltrow.