Holly Humberstone’s debut album paints the theme of rooms.
Written by Sammy Wrogé
Holly Humberstone is a UK based singer/songwriter who got her rise to fame through the release of her EP, Falling Asleep at the Wheel, which led to her being named BRIT’s Rising Star and touring with notable female forces in the industry, such as Girl in Red, Olivia Rodrigo, and Gracie Abrams. Growing up going to an all-girls school, having three sisters, and surrounding herself with fellow, powerful females in the industry, allows Holly to express her emotions properly, which she finds to be extremely powerful.
Holly now prides herself and continues to remain in touch with her emotions through the release of her 13-song, emotional roller-coaster, debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black. An album all about being in the dark on her own, trying to make sense of where she was and figure it out.
As someone who is not one to journal and finds it difficult to stay on top of everyday, Holly likes to save it all for the studio and writing. That being said, to Holly Humberstone, writing her debut album felt like such a relief to get off her chest. “I didn’t write it about anybody. It’s kind of just about me and wanting to just shut the negativity out,” says Holly when referring to her album, specifically the title track and the positive turn the song took.
Holly has a huge love for song writing, especially when she gets to sit down and write one after having time away from the song writing process for so long. It truly is her outlet for getting things off her chest and describes it as her “favorite feeling in the world” that nothing can compare to. Holly Humberstone dives into the euphoric feeling she gained after writing the much-needed, fun and freeing song, “Into Your Room.” After being stuck in a mental block from being on the road for so long, Holly found herself in LA on her weekend off, despite desperately wishing to be at home. She later reached out to Ethan Gruska, who she has always wanted to work with and wrote “Into Your Room” that same day.
Much of the album was written about being away, as opposed to Humberstone’s two EPs which were heavily location based. One being written about her childhood home and growing up, while the other was about moving out of her home and into London. She did not realize the effect that being away from her people (friends and family) and home after a long period of time would have on her. Because her debut album does not have a place or identity, there is emphasis on the theme of rooms from constantly moving from hotel room to hotel room —“Paint My Bedroom Black,” “Into Your Room,” “Room Service.”
Holly will continue to jump from hotel room to hotel room as she prepares to embark on tour come 2024.