Melissa Kacar

Cruel World beautifully depicts the complexities of what it means to be a young woman in the modern age, facing all of the expectations and pressures that inevitably surface at this point in life. As an artist, Holly Humberstone thrives in the most introspective and honest facets of who she is and the experiences she has gone through. Instrumentally, this album is so lush in its composition, drenched in synth‑pop elements that build upon such an interesting blend of influences. The shimmering, dark fairytale aesthetics are also so central to the entirety of this album as well.  As an entire project, Cruel World really does stand among so many of the best alt‑pop records of the past decade, evoking the feelings of Melodrama by Lorde or Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers in its distinct world‑building and emotional intensity. Coincidentally, all three albums are also these artists' sophomore releases, which feels fitting, as each one captures the distinct moment they stepped deeper int...

"To Love Somebody" is a song rooted in heartbreak, but it approaches the feeling from a completely different angle than a typical breakup track. Instead of framing sensitivity and feeling all-encompassing deep emotions as weaknesses, Holly Humberstone instead writes from the place of these being the distinct traits that make us human. The bittersweet message is that the moments in life that leave you feeling the most exposed and emotionally vulnerable ultimately allow us to gain clarity and experience life in the fullest sense of the word. "They tell you that you feel too much, euphoria right down to the crush, it all breaks down, it always does, it all works out, it always does," Holly sings in the first pre-chorus. "And the shit they say in the songs you love, the greatest hits and the deepest cuts, it all breaks down, it always does, it all works out, it always does". At the heart of it, this song carries the age old message that it is better to have ...

"Vertigo" dives into all of the conflicting feelings that come after a breakup and the disorienting process of trying to make sense of an emotionally unavailable partner. Griff released it as the title track of her debut album in 2024, which shaped the direction the rest of the record went in. This song, and the rest of Vertigo , features some of the most infectious synth pop production, paired beautifully with her distinctive heartfelt lyricism that brings so much depth to the music she releases.  "You're scared of heights, that's vertigo, you wanted lights, go see a show, you ran away, that's touch and go, you're scared of love, well, aren't we all?" she sings in the chorus of the song.  "When someone leaves your life, you spend a lot of time asking if it was your fault. This song lists all those reasons why it could be, but it's also about trying to reassure yourself that there was nothing you could have done to make it better," ...

"Sue me" is an unapologetically fun and carefree pop song that captures the chaotic rush of going back to someone you know you shouldn't. It's endlessly catchy and filled with so much of Audrey Hobert 's personality. She writes and performs from such a self-aware place, one that is also a little bit awkward in the most charming way.  This was Audrey's 2025 breakthrough debut single, coming off the success of her collaborations with her close friend Gracie Abrams , co‑writing some of Gracie's biggest songs to date, including "That's So True" and six other tracks from The Secret of Us . Hearing Audrey's solo music now, it's clear how singular her voice is as a writer, with a distinctiveness comes through in everything she's apart of.  "Broke up with you in November, sorry, I know you remember, are you depressed or are you feeling better? 'Cause you're looking like it's the latter," she sings in the opening ve...

"stupid song" by Olivia Rodrigo  Trying to put the strong, all‑encompassing emotion of what it feels like to love so deeply into words is the pursuit of so many of the greatest artists' lives - especially one as emotive and diaristic as Olivia - but acknowledging that you could never fully articulate the extent of your love becomes, in itself, the truest expression of it. That's exactly what "stupid song" represents for me and is one of the many highlights off of her new album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love , so it was very difficult to choose just one to share here. This song is so addicting and moving, as she showcases her strength for songwriting and capturing a feeling that is complicated, yet so universal.  This is very well going to end up being my album of the year for 2026. I truly cannot foresee another record topping girl so in love -  and if something does manage to in the latter half of the year, then I can't even imagine how inc...