# Humble as the Sun

Humble as the Sun is the third studio album by London-based duo Bob Vylan, released on 5 April 2024 through Ghost Theatre. It received acclaim from critics.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Aggregate scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.1/10 |
| Metacritic | 82/100 |
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10 |
| Classic Rock | 8/10 |
| DIY | |
| MusicOMH | |
| NME | |
| Uncut | |
Humble as the Sun received a score of 82 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on eight critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Classic Rock stated that "Bob Vylan have become the loudest, most vital voice of righteous rage in a beaten-down nation", while Uncut felt that "The charisma, charm, galvanising dynamism and radical positivity of frontman Bobbie, works better on stage than in the studio; even so, his hilarious takedowns of Marx-quoting armchair revolutionaries and Brexit-voting Top Gear fans reveal a sharp, self-aware wit behind the headbanging polemic."
DIY's Lisa Wright felt that the album "largely ups the pace, from the electronic, Prodigy-nodding beats of 'Reign' to the prowling punk of 'Dream Big'", writing that the "purposeful shift in perspective nonetheless tweaks the message from aggression to defiance". Jazz Hodge of Clash called the duo "an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to listen to their music" as they have "a confidence to say what needs to be said". opining that the album "couldn't have come at a more important time".
MusicOMH's John Murphy called it "a huge step up" as "every track on this album grabs the listener and demands attention" with "simmering anger bubbling throughout [...] which makes it one of the most compelling releases of the year". Aliya Chaudhry of NME found that the album "broadens the duo's musical scope" and its "variety keeps things interesting, but it also allows the duo to flex their musical muscles" as "they've traded in some of their previous blistering punk for a more relaxed pace on certain tracks, but without sacrificing any intensity".

### Year-end lists

Select year-end rankings for Humble as the Sun :
| Publication/critic | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
| BBC Radio 6 Music | 26 Albums of the Year 2024 | - | |
| Rough Trade UK | Albums of the Year 2024 | 88 | |

## Personnel

Musicians
* Bobby Vylan – lead vocals (all tracks); guitar, bass (tracks 1, 3–7, 9); live drums (3, 5), background vocals (7); additional guitars, programming (8); organ (9)
* Jonny Breakwell – organ (track 1), programming (2), additional vocals (3), piano (7, 9), background vocals (7)
* Mikey Sorbello – live drums (tracks 1, 10)
* Hannah Koppenburg – piano, Rhodes (track 1)
* Jerub – additional vocals (track 1)
* Andy Gangadeen – live drums (tracks 2, 6)
* Kelechi Okafor – additional vocals (track 2)
* Luke Pickering – programming (track 3)
* Adam Betts – live drums (tracks 4, 7, 10)
* Vylan Kids Choir – additional vocals (track 4)
* Tim Bazell – live drums, additional guitars (track 5)
* Rex Roulette – additional guitars (tracks 5, 7); guitar, bass (10)
* Henri Davies – programming (track 5)
* Jorge "Saucy" Felizardo – background vocals (track 7)
* Laurie Vincent – guitar, bass (track 8)
Technical
* Bobby Vylan – production (tracks 1–7, 9), recording (all tracks)
* Laurie Vincent – production, recording (track 8)
* Rex Roulette – production, recording (track 10)
* Jonny Breakwell – mixing (all tracks), co-production (tracks 1-9), recording (1, 2, 4, 6-10)
* Kevin Tuffy – mastering
* Luke Pickering – recording (track 3)
* Tim Bazell – recording (track 5)
* Henri Davies – additional production (track 5)
* Adam Beer – recording assistance (tracks 2, 4, 6–9)
Visuals
* Bobby Vylan – art direction
* KJ Price – cover photo

## Charts

Chart performance for Humble as the Sun :
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 11 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 22 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 3 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC) | 1 |