An intimate and cinematic upheaval full of radiant passion and raw empathic love, “Scarlett” comes to life with dazzling sound and empowering strength as Holly Humberstone once again captivates the ears, eyes, and heart.
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Stream: “Scarlett” – Holly Humberstone
Who else but Holly Humberstone could keep us transfixed while she walks around the back of an open, moving big rig driving down an empty airport hanger’s runway at sunset? In point of fact, Humberstone’s new one-shot music video for her recent single “Scarlett” is as dazzling as it must have been utterly daring to shoot, yet its theatricality is only one of the many facets that make this song so special. An intimate and cinematic upheaval full of radiant passion and raw love, “Scarlett” comes to life with dazzling sound and empowering strength as Holly Humberstone once again captivates the ears, eyes, and heart.
You said darling “Will we go the distance?”
Such blissful ignorance couldn’t hit more like a bolt from the blue
And hate me, if you’re gonna hate me
But just say it plainly with everything lately I just need the truth
We go together like bad British weather on the one day I made plans
So go hell for leather and know that it’s out of my hands
Go ahead now
Released September 7, 2021 via Polydor Records / Darkroom / Interscope, “Scarlett” is the fourth (and likely final) single taken off Holly Humberstone’s forthcoming sophomore EP, The Walls Are Way Too Thin (out November 12, 2021). Following this year’s songs “Haunted House,” “Please Don’t Leave Just Yet,” and EP title track “The Walls Are Way Too Thin” – all of which find the British artist-to-watch continuing to stand out from her peers – “Scarlett” arrives as a stunning reckoning through emotional upheaval and turmoil, as well as a testament to the power, importance, and stability of friendship.
“This track is my absolute favourite,” Humberstone tells Atwood Magazine. “It’s a f***-you to the guy that was going out with my closest friend Scarlett, and it was written as they were breaking up. The relationship was totally one-sided and lasted for years. Scarlett was all in and had pretty much planned their future, and it was pretty clear to me that he was stringing her along, until he broke up with her in a really insensitive and heartless way.”
“I was her closest confidant and so I knew everything she was feeling, and I’d see how passive he was with her at parties first hand. She vented to me for probably about a year and so I went through all the stages of a break up with her and watched as she slowly realised her worth and that he wasn’t worth her tears anymore. I wanted to write this one from her point of view. It’s a pretty positive song as it’s about her finally letting go, realising his many faults, and taking back her life.”
At its heart, “Scarlett” is a redemptive anthem: A freeing moment of blissful euphoria arriving at the tail end of a prolonged cycle of pain, heartbreak, and tension. Like its predecessor “The Walls Are Way Too Thin,” it’s easily one of Humberstone’s most electrifying songs to date – with an ethereal, atmospheric entrance opening up to a driving synth-laced backbeat, and ultimately sun-soaked, stunning chorus full of cathartic emotional release:
Cos I cried all the summer away
Oooh you left me waiting on a heartbreak
I just cried all the summer away
Now I’m drunk and screaming your name
Oooh Oooh Oooh and I will show myself out
Oooh Oooh Oooh I know I adore you, I don’t need you now
Beyond her budding expertise as a pop songwriter, “Scarlett” also highlights Humberstone’s ability to capture a song’s spirit visually: The Raja Virdi-directed video, conceptualized by Humberstone, creative director Josh Sanger, and Virdi, is a marvel in and of itself. The track’s titular character (Scarlett) co-stars with Humberstone in the video, driving the truck that symbolizes the reclamation of her independence and the rejuvenation of her spirit.
“Sonically and lyrically, ‘Scarlett’ breaks away from the rest of the EP and in so many ways it feels like such a release, Humberstone acknowledges. “It was really important to me that the music video felt really empowering and a reminder that you can shake off anything rubbish going on in your life and be in control of your own destiny.”
“Obviously the song is about Scarlett, so she had to be in the video – especially after being named an ‘emotional grim reaper,’” she laughs. “The two of us break into an airport hanger, steal and spray paint an arctic truck, then I perform on the back of it as Scar drives it down the runway. It was honestly the most fun. I was clinging on as I was being thrown about. If you look closely the guitar I throw off the truck is the same one from my very first video for ‘Deep End’ and the banners were at my London shows at Omeara!”
“I really hope it feels as empowering to watch as it did to be on the back of it performing! I loved how ironic the ‘bad British weather’ line is when we got the nicest sunset going for the video. Hopefully that truck makes another appearance down the line.”
I said darling “will we go the distance?”
As I stood there pouring my heart out with you just completely unfazed
And you said “Scarlett I don’t need to be responsible for everything you’re feeling
Your emotional grim reaper I feel bad for you
I can’t entertain these games, hate to rain on your parade
It’s just the way I’m feeling
It’s just the way I’m feeling
Cos I cried all the summer away
Oooh you left me waiting on a heartbreak
I just cried all the summer away
Now I’m drunk and screaming your name
Oooh Oooh Oooh and I will show myself out
Oooh Oooh Oooh I know I adore you, I don’t need you now
“Scarlett” is sure to be another smash hit for all who discover it.
Humberstone’s latest is easily one of her best works yet, soaring with an ineffable warmth and vibrance that transcends the moment, speaking to our potential as individuals to rise to meet any challenge, struggle, or f***boi that comes our way. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of life: A shout-your-heart-out anthem we can all look to for inspiration, invigoration, and release.
Holly Humberstone’s The Walls Are Way Too Thin EP is out November 12th; don’t miss it.
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Stream: “Scarlett” – Holly Humberstone
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