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From Grimm’s Fairy Tales to South East London renovations, Holly Humberstone’s second album transforms upheaval into escapism. ‘Cruel World’ is a celebration of sisterhood, romance and learning to trust your instincts when everything else feels unstable.
CRUEL
INTENTIONS
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CRUEL INTENTIONS
From Grimm’s Fairy Tales to South East London renovations, Holly Humberstone’s second album transforms upheaval into escapism. ‘Cruel World’ is a celebration of sisterhood, romance and learning to trust your instincts when everything else feels unstable.
"In a time that feels super harsh and hyper real, I wanted to create an alternative universe for people to get lost in," says Holly Humberstone of her new album 'Cruel World'. "Music should be a little bit of an escape from the chaos of everything."
When she was younger, Holly got a collection of Grimm's Fairy Tales for Christmas and became obsessed with those dark, otherworldly stories. It was the same when she went to the ballet with her mum as a festive treat. "I was so enthralled by it all, I completely forgot about what was happening in my own life." She also loved the classic films Alice in Wonderland, Return to Oz and The Red Shoes – young girls wrestling with the idea of home and growing up in increasingly strange circumstances that often seemed beyond their control. "I was just really inspired by those gothic fantasy stories," she says. Her bewitching second album turns that same coming-of-age angst into cause for fiery celebration.
When she was younger, Holly got a collection of Grimm's Fairy Tales for Christmas and became obsessed with those dark, otherworldly stories. It was the same when she went to the ballet with her mum as a festive treat. "I was so enthralled by it all, I completely forgot about what was happening in my own life." She also loved the classic films Alice in Wonderland, Return to Oz and The Red Shoes – young girls wrestling with the idea of home and growing up in increasingly strange circumstances that often seemed beyond their control. "I was just really inspired by those gothic fantasy stories," she says. Her bewitching second album turns that same coming-of-age angst into cause for fiery celebration.
Still, despite an obsession with all things escapism, Holly Humberstone's music has always dealt with prickly, unavoidable reality. "I can't make anything up," she grins. Early EPs 'Falling Asleep At The Wheel' and 'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' were full of rich bedroom-pop growing pains, with the stark uncertainty of 'Overkill' and 'Haunted House' amplified by COVID lockdowns. Those candid tales connected with millions, and she soon found herself on tour, supporting girl in red and Olivia Rodrigo alongside her own sold-out headline shows. She was awarded the BRIT Rising Star award in 2022. "Writing songs was just something I used to do without thinking. It was how I processed the world around me," she says.
"Everything changes when you start releasing music because you're sharing the most vulnerable side of yourself with whoever happens to catch a song on the radio," she continues. Suddenly, people had opinions about her art. "Turns out I'm a very sensitive person."
When it came time for a debut album, Holly put a lot of pressure on herself, especially after signing to major label Polydor for the release. "There were a lot of expectations around what it was going to sound like, and I'm not really someone who thrives under pressure," she says. Some people thought the logical step was for Holly to start writing radio smash bangers ("I would if I could," she smirks), but she'd found a fanbase who resonated with the more candid, sensitive side of her songwriting.
"There were so many different opinions. It was a lot. Clashing with other people is a very confusing experience, especially for someone who's still figuring out who they are as an artist and a person," says Holly, who was 22 when 'Paint My Bedroom Black' was released. "I adore that album. I put so much of myself into it and every word is so true… but there's a lot of doubt."
"Everything changes when you start releasing music because you're sharing the most vulnerable side of yourself with whoever happens to catch a song on the radio," she continues. Suddenly, people had opinions about her art. "Turns out I'm a very sensitive person."
When it came time for a debut album, Holly put a lot of pressure on herself, especially after signing to major label Polydor for the release. "There were a lot of expectations around what it was going to sound like, and I'm not really someone who thrives under pressure," she says. Some people thought the logical step was for Holly to start writing radio smash bangers ("I would if I could," she smirks), but she'd found a fanbase who resonated with the more candid, sensitive side of her songwriting.
"There were so many different opinions. It was a lot. Clashing with other people is a very confusing experience, especially for someone who's still figuring out who they are as an artist and a person," says Holly, who was 22 when 'Paint My Bedroom Black' was released. "I adore that album. I put so much of myself into it and every word is so true… but there's a lot of doubt."
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