SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HOLLY HUMBERSTONE – CRUEL WORLD

HOLLY HUMBERSTONE
CRUEL WORLD
POLYDOR RECORDS

Dread, despair, and falling into the abyss. It seems to echo the news cycle that is impossible to break out of. However, it’s not the case for British indie pop singer Holly Humberstone’s third studio album, Cruel World. It’s an escape from reality brimming with equal parts festival vibes and dream-pop indie vibes.

Beginning into the journey of Cruel World is “So It Starts.” The 45-sec string instrumentation transports listeners to a fantasy world where its cheery, royal, elegant, and sophisticated. It’s the perfect wake-up song to a posh hotel decked in beautiful craftsmanship.

The first 10-sec of “Make It All Better” is an electronic sample of “So It Starts” and lyrically details to an individual going through a bad day from a somber mood to an electro-pop instrumental accompanied by Humberstone’s husky yet dreamy vocals.

Segueing from escaping bad dreams to a heart pulsating track in “To Love Somebody.” It highlights the moment of falling in love accompanied by Humberstone’s luscious chorus and a euphoric dance-pop aesthetic to capture the natural high of romance.

“Cruel World” is the standout track in the titular record. Contrary to record title, it may sound bright and bubbly, but the song suggests one’s worldview may be distorted without a best friend or a special someone, backed by Humberstone’s cheery vocals with a dark undertone of losing someone near and dear.

Holly Humberstone’s Cruel World may be a cure all of the anxieties as it takes big swings narratively from escaping horrific dreams to unleashing the inner Cinderella with Humberstone’s soothing yet cheery vocals backed by indie-pop vibes. It is highly recommended.

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