My third choice on the 2021 Ones to Watch list has been pretty much certain for some time now. In fact I hinted that Holly Humberstone would be on this list as far back as March this year when I wrote of her 2nd song: “So that’s 2 out of 2 so far for Holly Humberstone. One to watch.”
Since that song Holly has been slowly slicing her way through the musical jungle with one quality pop song after another. They all ended up on her Falling Asleep At The Wheel EP. From the raw, introspective and weightily strong Deep End, a tune that hints at the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, to the classy snappy pop of Vanilla, Holly knows how to make a good tune. That well worn expression all killer no filler comes to mind. Add in her beautiful cover of Radiohead’s Fake Plastic Trees (not on the EP) to her small collection of songs released so far and she begins to mark herself as a definite contender. She's 50% classic songwriter and 50% pop star. But either way she's 100% magic.
If Holly is still new to you, I’d thoroughly recommend watching her 15-minute piece On The Run which finds Holly performing a number of her songs acapella and in raw stripped back form in a paper mill. It’s beautifully shot and importantly shows the talent behind the more polished pop moments.
Having already played Glastonbury (the BBC Introducing tent before she’s released anything at all), supported Lewis Capaldi on tour, performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live (a performance that shares some similarities in style with On The Run), been named as Apple Music's Up Next Artist and recently nominated as One of Vevo UK’s Artists to Watch for 2021 I’m clearly not the only one who’s been impressed with Holly Humberstone.
She put out one of my most played EPs of 2020. I’m excited to hear what’s next in 2021.
Holly Humberstone - Overkill
Holly Humberstone - On The Run
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