In recent years, the top of the Billboard Hot 100 has been predictable. Hit songs have fallen into categories of teen-girl pop beats or Hozier-esque folk anthems, leaving the next male rock star missing in action. With Harry Styles on sabbatical and Benson Boone’s new record not drawing mass appeal, the opening is wide for Sombr and his debut album, which dropped Aug. 22.
Sombr emerges as a breakout star to those who have heard his album singles “back to friends” and “undressed,” or who have seen the self-proclaimed performative male on their TikTok feed, as he sings about past relationships and the romance many young adults crave on “I Barely Know Her.” Simultaneously, he also unpacks the fear of his exes finding someone they love more than him.
As the album’s only credited writer, he boldly proves himself as a force to be reckoned with in the industry while staying relatable along the way. At just over 37 minutes, the album stays upbeat and never overstays its welcome. With lowercase song titles and plenty of conviction, Sombr’s first work stays sonically cohesive and builds a keen sense of what — or who — plagues his thoughts.
“crushing”
Opening with a quick drum beat and an electric guitar, Sombr launches into a vocally distorted confession of the life he wants to live with his significant other. The mood shifts quickly as he recognizes that the good times have ended. This soul-crushing feeling serves as the double-entendre backbone of the song. Like Olivia Rodrigo’s “get him back,” the word “crush” captures both the flirty beginning and devastating end of his relationship.
“12 to 12”
As the most radio-ready single, “12 to 12” blends disco references with modern synth beats. Pop star Addison Rae’s presence in the music video drew people into the song with relationship rumors. The album’s most upbeat song highlights his range and adds a different flavor while staying true to his artistry. Although the production may be slightly different, the lyrics are quintessentially Sombr, with an earnest insecurity and desire for connection: “In a room full of people, I look for you / Would you avoid me, or would you look for me too?”
“i wish i knew how to quit you”
On this track, Sombr furthers the theme of unrequited love and the inability to get over someone. This time, however, he uses the metaphor of addiction for his feelings. While the song does not have the biting hook of some of the other tracks, it is still representative of his sound: a grungy pop-rock beat with drums and a passionate vocal line.
“back to friends”
Sombr’s viral TikTok hit is also his most-streamed song, fittingly so as it captures a universal question: How is it possible to return to friendship after love? From his perspective, the memories seem to have faded from her mind, leaving him unable to understand why. Using the lyrics “we just shared a bed” implies a level of closeness that is impossible to forget, just like this song.
“canal street”
In this track, Sombr strips his typical synth pop-rock sound to only acoustic guitar and vocals. Through this simplified approach, he reveals himself to the listener in a more vulnerable fashion. He explores the mystery of what people do when they are no longer in your life. Even though his ex is not present, he does things to remember the way she made him feel. With lyrics discussing smoking to bring her back and looking for “girls with [her] traits,” he proves he will do anything that draws upon her memory. The singles are the stronger half of the record, but “canal street” proves that he does not need layers of production to make a hit.
“dime”
With the primary theme of the record dealing with heartbreak and the loss of a connection, “dime” conversely places itself at the beginning of a relationship with a plea to be “more than friends.” Like other songs on the record, “dime” leans on distinctive drumbeats, distorted vocals and a kitschy hook: “Cause you’re a ten / And I’m a man that needs a dime.” However, Sombr admits in an interview with i-d, “It’s supposed to be sarcastic!” so he mostly gets away with it.
“undressed”
This is one of the strongest songs on the record where Sombr looks more into the nuances of how his relationship is falling apart. As he realizes the end is near, he cannot wrap his head around having to restart the building of a connection with someone else. Catchily, he sings “I don’t wanna get undressed / For a new person all over again,” implying the lengthy process to rebuild trust.
“come closer”
In this song, Sombr displays the struggle with not knowing where he stands in a relationship. He cannot stand the in-between and uses his agency to set a boundary: “come closer or stay away / I can’t take love from you halfway.”
“we never dated”
Sombr continues along to describe a relationship where there appears to lack any clear label. As the title implies, while the label of dating was never used, Sombr values the connection at that same level. Instead of yearning for reciprocity, he stays understanding and comes to terms with the fact that he cannot make her love him.
“under the mat”
Sombr closes the record on a different note — one of redemption and fear rather than the longing that came before. He describes how a relationship ended poorly, but through the metaphor of leaving a key under a mat, he suggests he still has a chance. What to do with the chance is what plagues him. In typical Gen Z fashion, the album ends with a voice memo and the words, “That’s the album, man.”
With a risky, self-written debut, Sombr proves he has the potential to be the next big thing at just 20 years old. Although the album can feel thematically one-note at times, he creates a unique sound that allows listeners to recognize his songs from the first few seconds. At last, there is a new male artist with a distinct vision. As new music continues to be released this fall, Vanderbilt students should give “I Barely Know Her” a try, and they will agree that Sombr is one to watch.
