British singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone will release “Cruel World … So It Ends,” the deluxe version of her sophomore album “Cruel World,” on Nov. 13 via Interscope Records.
Humberstone revealed her plans in a social media post alongside the new song, “Too Cute to Be Lonely.” The uplifting alternative pop tune is geared towards the dance floor and represents an exploration of brighter realms for the artist. “Too Cute to Be Lonely” draws inspiration from artists like ABBA, Madonna, and Robyn, featuring the storytelling prowess characteristic of Humberstone’s songwriting.
Silken Weinberg shot the official music video, having previously worked with the British musician and her sister, Eleri Humberstone, to create the dark fairy-tale world of “Cruel World.”
“The fairytale doesn’t end; it just turns a page to a new chapter. ‘Cruel World’ was a journey of self-discovery and finding my confidence in my voice; the songs within ‘So It Ends’ feel more confident and self-assured,” said Humberstone.
The new release comes amid a busy schedule for the artist. Humberstone has already performed on shows “Later … with Jools Holland,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” This summer, Humberstone played Bonnaroo, Governors Ball, Summerfest, All Things Go, Summer Sonic, Mad Cool, and the Reading and Leeds festivals. The musician is scheduled to open for Gracie Abrams on December 7th at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
Released in April, “Cruel World” now boasts 83 million plays. The album explores the conflict between suffering and joy, and the coexistence of chaos and acceptance. “Cruel World” tells the story of Humberstone finding refuge in a dark fairy tale, where childhood mementos, monsters, and memories converge.
The record came after two years Humberstone spent devoted to restoration and community building, revisiting her past that got lost along the way when the musician suddenly became a public figure at 20. Unlike “Paint My Bedroom Black,” the debut album full of turbulence and yearning, “Cruel World” focuses on stability and reminiscence.
While working on visuals for “Cruel World,” Humberstone collaborated with her sister and director, Silken Weinberg, who also became the album’s creative director. The musicians used items Humberstone discovered while moving out of the haunted house she used to live in, including ballet shoes, “Alice in Wonderland” books, and movies “Edward Scissorhands” and “James and the Giant Peach.” As she went through her things, Humberstone learned to see her past ghosts as playful and magical.
Humberstone wrote “Cruel World” during daily studio sessions with Rob Milton. The album is largely about love, whether romantic, platonic, or feminine. Raised in a family of powerful women, Humberstone describes how girls are taught to compete with each other, and how she tries to undo that instinct and return to unity as a form of survival.
Humberstone burst into popularity with the release of her EP “Falling Asleep at the Wheel” in 2020. Since then, her songwriting has taken her from her hometown of Grantham, England, to festivals like Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and even Wembley, where she supported Taylor Swift. She won the Rising Star prize at the 2022 BRIT Awards and was nominated for the Ivor Novello Award for her song “Haunted House.”
