Coming to terms with who you are can mean looking back at the experiences that shaped you and finding a new understanding of the person you once were. North West singer-songwriter June Holland explores that deep personal process on ‘Mouldy Orange’ a featured single from her debut EP, ‘Out of the Darkness Into the Light’ Drawing on the emotional impact of receiving late ADHD diagnosis, the song reflects on childhood misunderstandings, identity and the journey towards self-acceptance.
Written over a five-year period, ‘Mouldy Orange’ looks back at the child Holland once was, acknowledging the pain of having been misunderstood before she had the knowledge to make sense of her experiences. Rather than simply revisiting the past, the song gives space to the emotions that comes with recognising those experiences from a different perspective. It becomes an intimate reflection on mourning the childhood she might have had while learning to embrace who she is today.
Musically, the track takes a darker direction, incorporating subtle production influences inspired by Billie Eilish. Its atmospheric character provides a fitting backdrop for the subject matter, allowing the emotional weight of the songwriting to remain central. Cinematic string arrangements by Egan Stonier add another dimension to the recording, contributing to the song’s carefully developed sound.
The single was recorded at Airtight Studios in Manchester in January 2026, following a successful fan-funded campaign that helped Holland bring her debut EP into a professional studio. Despite the move from home recording to a studio environment, she remained committed to her independent creative approach. Having developed the arrangement through extensive demos, she retained creative control and produced the project herself, drawing on skills she had built through years of teaching herself songwriting, recording, mixing and arranging.
Holland’s journey as an independent artist has been shaped by the same determination that runs through her music. Without label backing or financial support, she developed her craft through experimentation with modest home equipment and online tutorials.
On ‘Mouldy Orange’ that hands-on approach meets a deep personal subject, resulting in a thoughtful piece about understanding the past, recognising the experiences that shaped you and finding the confidence to accept yourself.
