Album Review: Holly Humberstone, Paint My Bedroom Black

Holly Humberstone's name has been floating around for so long, you wouldn't be considered mad for thinking Paint My Bedroom Black is far from her debut album. Already playing to heights such as the Rankin's Wood Stage at Electric Picnic, and performing headline gigs all over the globe - Humberstone is taking the whole music thing in her stride.

However, with her debut, Humberstone is truly putting her stamp on the industry. The pop-punk renaissance currently hitting mainstream music has seen the return of Paramore, the rise of acts like boygenius and MUNA, and now, this musician is having her go at the scene - and very well, I must add.

Opening the album with the titular track, Holly sets the perfect tone – or so it seems – for what's to come: a beat-driven, indie-rock vibe with Humberstone's transcendent vocal dancing over top.

While singles ‘Kissing In Swimming Pools’, ‘Into Your Room’, ‘Superbloodmoon’, ‘Antichrist’, and ‘Room Service’ accurately represent the ebb and flow of the collection, hidden gems such as ‘Ghost Me’, ‘Baby Blues’, ‘Elvis Impersonator’, and ‘Flatlining’ truly take the biscuit.

‘Ghost Me’ is the most beautifully emotional yet frivolous track – with layered harmonies and delicate guitar string picking leading into voice notes of the singer talking about Spongebob Squarepants. Iconic really.

Though the shortest track, ‘Baby Blues’ packs an incredibly powerful punch – undoubtedly a favourite for myself from the album. Layered, distorted vocals contain deeply sensual, impactful lyrics. However, ‘Flatlining’ comes extremely close to taking that top spot – and sitting at just over three minutes – there is certainly more to sink your teeth into.

Having dissected every possible piece of the album, the chat we had before her EP performance, where Holly described the album as falling into two separate parts, makes more and more sense. A paired back opening makes room for an electronic driven closing stretch on this collection.

Holly has done what she set out to – upheld the integrity of coming-of-age pop-punk, introducing genre-defying elements, and bringing her career an undeniable bound forward.

Listen, and listen again.

9/10
Listen: 'Flatlining’