Millie Bolton Song review -‘Wrapped Up In Ourselves’

Wrapped Up In Ourselves: Summer anthem by Leeds artist Millie Bolton.

Singer-songwriter Millie Bolton’s debut EP, ‘I Barely Sleep’, delves into themes of romance, self-discovery, and the modern world. One stand out track, ‘Wrapped Up In Ourselves’, transforms experiences of teenage guilt into an addictive, windows-down melody brimming with ecstasy.

Tentatively starting ‘not to be self-centred’, Millie grows in confidence throughout the verse until she belts the chorus unforgivingly: ‘we’re so wrapped up in ourselves’. Her skills as both a vocalist and instrumentalist shine through, singing tantalising pitch bends in the opening lines. The distorted guitars juxtapose her ethereal vocals to develop her singer-songwriter style into an indie pop belter.

The seemingly simple title line underpins the struggle of today’s youth (on the brink of adulthood), who are ‘wrapped up’ in a myriad of challenges- from the overwhelming current mental health crisis to the cost of living- on top of typical teenage conflicts of emotion and heartbreak. It’s almost inevitable that relationships feel strained when each partner is burdened with so much; ‘it’s hard to see anyone else when you’re wrapped up in yourself’.

‘Wrapped Up In Ourselves’ boasts the same nostalgic melancholy found in Willow Smith’s ‘4ever’ and Beabadoobee’s ‘See You Soon’, enhanced by the professional production of Toby-Ollis Brownstone.

Alongside acoustic ballad ‘Us Two Left’ and pop rock debut single ‘This City’, Millie paints the complexities of young love with a heart-wrenching honesty, not dissimilar to the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, yet with a slick indie edge.

For indie pop enthusiasts, ‘I Barely Sleep’ is a must-add to your summer playlist, perfect for a bittersweet afternoon.