Cruel World (song)
| "Cruel World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Holly Humberstone | ||||
| from the album Cruel World | ||||
| Released | 13 March 2026 | |||
| Length | 3:26 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Rob Milton | |||
| Holly Humberstone singles chronology | ||||
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| Visualiser | ||||
| "Cruel World" on YouTube | ||||
"Cruel World" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone. It was released by Polydor Records on 23 January 2026 as the third single from her upcoming second studio album of the same name (2026). Humberstone wrote the track with long-term collaborators Rob Milton and Benjamin Francis Leftwich, with Milton handling the production.
The lyrical content of "Cruel World" dissects the dual feelings of love and pain within long-distance relationships. It explores Humberstone's perception of the world being distorted due to not having her partner nearby and she billed it her favourite song she had written to date. It was praised by Clash and Euphoria for Humberstone's "diaristic" style of writing and Milton's production.
Background and release
After her debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black (2023), Humberstone returned to musical releases in 2025 with a contribution to the soundtrack for The Buccaneers, the song "Miss You to Death".[1] Months later, she confirmed that a "new world" was beginning, hinting towards the start of a new album cycle.[2] She thanked fans on social media for "waiting for [her] to get it right".[3] "Die Happy" then was released on 5 November 2025, with an album announcement expected to follow.[4] Humberstone announced the album, Cruel World, on 23 January 2026, as well as releasing "To Love Somebody" as its second single.[5] "Cruel World" was then released as the third single from the album on 13 March 2026.[6][7] It was released alongside an accompanying visualiser inspired by Victorian theatre, directed by Silken Weinberg.[8]
Composition and lyrics
Humberstone co-wrote "Cruel World" with long-term collaborators Rob Milton and Benjamin Francis Leftwich.[9] The lyrical content explores Humberstone in a long-distance relationship, with her perception of the world distorted due to not having her partner nearby and having "no fun in going out solo".[10] The lyrics also dissect the dichotomy of finding euphoria and deep love in their relationship, despite the distance.[11] Humberstone billed it her favourite song that she had written to date.[12]
Critical reception
Clash praised "Cruel World", complimenting Humberstone's "diaristic flourish" and "neat melodic twists and turns".[13] Euphoria also praised Humberstone's songwriting and felt that she had "beautifully portrayed" the pain of longing for someone.[9]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Spotify.[14]
- Holly Humberstone – vocals, songwriting, piano, synthesizer, keyboard
- Rob Milton – production, backing vocals, guitar, synthesizer, acoustic guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion, recording engineer
- Benjamin Francis Leftwich – songwriting
- Mark 'Spike' Stent – mixing engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
- Seth Tackleberry – backing vocals
- Lauren O'Donnell Anderson – backing vocals
- Ian Fitchuk – drums
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 13 March 2026 | Polydor | [15] |
References
- ^ "Holly Humberstone – Miss You To Death". Euphoria. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone returns with darkly romantic new single 'Die Happy'". DIY. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone Shares New Single 'Die Happy'". UDiscover Music. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone - Die Happy". SOS Music. Archived from the original on 14 December 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone announces new album with single 'To Love Somebody'". Far Out. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone, Sienna Spiro and Kenya Grace lead our Hot New Songs playlist". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "New Music Friday: Jack Harlow, The Pussycat Dolls, James Blake and more". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone explores the pain and euphoria of long-distance love on new single, "Cruel World"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Holly Humberstone – Cruel World". Euphoria. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone offers up new album's title track 'Cruel World'". DIY. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone shares new single 'Cruel World'". Mystic Sons. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone has shared 'Cruel World', a song about the pain of long-distance love". Dork. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone Shares New Single 'Cruel World'". Clash. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "Cruel World - Single by Holly Humberstone". Spotify. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Holly Humberstone - Cruel World". Scientists of Sound. Retrieved 19 March 2026.