Holly Humberstone – ‘Cruel World’ album review: stunning songwriting and gorgeous pop melodies
2026 already seems like an incredibly strong year for new indie-pop releases, and it only continues to grow stronger. Now, crashing onto the scene with her explosive sophomore record, Holly Humberstone really sets the bar with Cruel World, navigating the complexities of adulthood with a melodically rich and lyrically charming maelstrom of artistic evolution.
The Skinny: Cruel World captures Humberstone at a pivotal moment in her life. Following her rise after the beautifully angst-ridden Paint My Bedroom Black, Cruel World chronicles Humberstone’s journey post-coming-of-age and into a new realm of maturity, where often, it’s the vapid, everyday encounters and events that are the most beautiful.
According to the singer, the record came as a means to shed “old skin”. Saying goodbye to the house she grew up in – her gothic family home in Grantham – Cruel World pulled back the curtain to expose what remains of Humberstone without the parts that made her who she is, venturing heart-first into an “uncertain new world”, within which came a different kind of reflection.
Having moved into a new home with her best friend and two sisters, Humberstone accepted this phase of life for what it is: a new beginning. She painted her room pink and treated music like the privilege it is, all while not letting herself get trapped in the stress and pressures of it too much. “I searched for familiarity in a strange and unfamiliar new world,” says Humberstone.
From the openers ‘So It Starts…’ and ‘Make It All Better’, Humberstone channels a more sophisticated style of songwriting, pulling at threads of both euphoria and melancholia to create a world more nuanced and delicate than her previous record. Starting with a message on the outcome of a bad breakup, Humberstone addresses the realisation that experiencing love itself is better and more meaningful than the pain of losing it in the end.
‘Cruel World’ is no doubt one of the highlights of the entire record, anchoring the core message of the entire record: that love can be painful, but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile. Capturing Humberstone’s signature gothic charm, ‘Die Happy’ is an addictive delight resembling the reckless feeling of choosing to love wholly and fully, no matter the consequence.
Another that places the message of the record into perspective, ‘Lucy’ is the ballad for all those who have ever stumbled into adulthood feeling unprepared for all its twists and turns. “Behind every rain cloud there is a promise that flowers will grow,” says Humberstone. “You have to believe in people even when they don’t believe in themselves.”
By the time we reach the closer, ‘Beauty Pageant’, Humberstone has already charmed us the same way a late-night drive feels soul-cleansing during a particularly eye-opening period of self-discovery. That last song, however, pulls all those messages together in earnest, ending on one simple note of clarity: that whatever expectations we hold ourselves to, we’ll always be alone at the end of the night, “taking off your makeup in the mirror” when there are “no distractions left”.
Standout Track: ‘Die Happy’ / ‘Beauty Pageant’
The Verdict: Cruel World is undeniably Humberstone’s strongest work yet, taking everything she proved to be her strong suit on her debut record and setting a new standard for herself. Across 12 gorgeous tracks, Humberstone tackles self-identity, self-discovery, and coming out the other side without having figured it all out just yet.
Release Date: April 10th, 2026 | Producer: Rob Milton | Label: Polydor
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