Idolator

Have you ever been standing at the ATM, looking at your account balance on the verge of tears, and thought, "You know, I may be wracked with crippling, recession-era debt, but if I was looking at the face of spunky British pop singer Lily Allen, I'd feel a lot better"? Well, that daydream has become a (partial) reality.

In an exclusive and first of its kind deal with NatWest and EMI Music UK & Ireland, label artists including Lily Allen, Athlete, The Thrills and Supergrass are allowing their album artwork to be used on chip and PIN cards for teenagers.

The account, open to 11-18 year olds, has an extensive library of images to choose from, including current album artwork as well as some of EMI's iconic label logos, including Parlophone, Positiva and NOW! Further album covers from the music label are to be added shortly with account holders also able to upload their own photographs to use as the card design.

But why only 11-18 year olds? And why only England? And why only EMI? And why only crappy Britpop bands (and Lily Allen)? This seems like an idea record labels of all stripes should have been exploiting years ago. Surely there are many adult record nerds (or overgrown teenagers) who would want to "show their individuality" by putting, say, Big Black's Songs About Fucking on their ATM card.

EMI Artists Give Teenagers A New Way To Pay [EMI]