Holly Humberstone – Cruel World

Holly Humberstone has built a reputation for writing diaristic, close-to-the-bone songs that sit somewhere between indie, folk and pop. Cruel World pushes things further. In its biggest moments, Humberstone unlocks real pop star energy here. The singles are where that shift lands best. To Love Somebody feels built for a live setting, with its looping call and response refrain – 'It all breaks down, it always does! / It all works out, it always does!' – providing an irresistible singalong moment.

Die Happy has shades of The Smiths in its intense, reckless devotion ('To die with you is to die happy'). The title track, Cruel World, is a brilliantly deceptive slice of sunshine. Lines like, 'Let’s catch a movie and get caught in the rain' suit the song’s twinkly 1975-ish sensibility better and provide cover for its more devastating moments: 'I comatose in my bed'; 'I might / Curl up and die'. These are the strongest tracks. Elsewhere, the album is quieter and less sure footed. Lucy represents the best of the bunch: a tender, consoling song built over delicate fingerpicked guitar. Red Chevy is suitably cinematic and feelings forward, like all good car songs should be.

Listen to: Cruel World, To Love Somebody, Lucy