Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 October 2023
After a recent few years of success, Holly Humberstone is back this time with her LP debut.
An album of downtempo pop, Paint My Bedroom Black is a fitting title for this record of heartbreak and self-criticism. It might give off emo vibes but that doesn’t extend beyond the lyrics. Instead, what we get is a breath of fresh air with balanced instrumentation and clean production met with vulnerable and gentle vocals.
Antichrist is a decent lead single though it is ballad Kissing In Swimming Pools that is the highlight. Complimented by an acoustic guitar, it tells of a desire for intimacy. There may not be a great amount of variation between tracks, though this helps spotlight Flatlining as different from the rest, featuring experimental sounds that mimic the beep of a heart rate monitor. Unfortunately, none quite reach the heights of past singles such as London Is Lonely and The Walls Are Way Too Thin, which sadly haven’t been tagged onto this release.
Having established her unique sound, Humberstone runs with it on this debut of hers and demonstrates clear talent across the tracks, solidifying her place in the industry.
7/10