John is joined by Holly Humberstone and Rob Milton to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album Cruel World.

Holly Humberstone is a singer-songwriter from Grantham, England. After early support from BBC Introducing, her debut EP ‘Falling Asleep at the Wheel’ gained widespread attention during the pandemic, earning a BRIT Rising Star win and two Ivor Novello nominations. Her debut album 'Paint My Bedroom Black’, arrived in 2023, and reached the UK top 5, while tours with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo boosted her global profile. Her second album, Cruel World, was released in April 2026, working with long-time collaborator, producer Rob Milton.

Sitting down at Baltic Studios, the trio discuss the record’s influences, from The 1975 to Fleetwood Mac. They break down ‘To Love Somebody’ from early voice notes to final master, explore harmony techniques on ‘Cruel World’, and Holly reflects on how industry pressures shaped ‘Beauty Pageant’, alongside sharing their essential plug-ins and gear.

Tracks discussed: To Love Somebody, Cruel World, Beauty Pageant

LISTEN to Cruel World here - Cruel World by Holly Humberstone, Polydor Records

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Recorded at Baltic Studios.

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

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Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Roland Juno-60 Synthesizer

The God Particle (Plugin) by Cradle

Soundtoys Decapitator

Sequential Prophet 5 Synthesizer

Arturia DX-7

Soundtoys PanMan

Pocket Piano

Critter & Guitari Organelle

Splice

AMS RMX16 Reverb

Rotor Solo Cello plugin

Korg ARP 2600 M

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