TikTok acts as a platform for artists to promote their music and is a way for people to discover small artists. This was the path up-and-coming singer, songwriter Sombr took on his musical journey.
Sombr, born Shane Michael Boose, quickly rose to popularity after his song “back to friends,” which was released Dec. 27, 2024, became popular on TikTok in March. The song was used in various videos on the app, often with a caption expressing the feelings the song describes. Now, “back to friends” has garnered over 173,000 uses on the app.
The song became the lead single on Sombr’s recently released album, “I Barely Know Her.” Before the album's announcement, Sombr released three more songs as singles that would hold spots on the 10-track album. The songs “undressed,” “12 to 12” and “we never dated” quickly became popular TikTok sounds, as well.
The 20-year-old singer released his album Friday complete with 10 songs lasting approximately 38 minutes. Although the album is a quick listen, each song packs a punch with heavy-hitting lyricism and textured instrumentals.
Each song on “I Barely Know Her” takes listeners on a journey on the emotions experienced during a breakup. Songs such as “back to friends” and “canal street” include lyrics that feel like longing for a lost relationship, while “12 to 12” and “under the mat” give listeners more of a fear of rejection.
The indie rock album provides thought provoking lyrics for listeners while also having catchy melodies. The instrumentation is done well throughout the album as well, using classic instruments in a new way.
The songs themselves feel like a callback to ‘90s and ‘00s indie rock, reminiscent of Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, while still creating a modern sound.
One song that captures this vibe really well is “undressed.” The song, released March 21, 2025, grew in popularity via TikTok, as well. Many TikTokers who make edits of popular movies or television shows used this song to create devastating videos about their favorite doomed relationships. This is a common use for many of Sombr’s songs on TikTok.
A stand-out track that was not a single on the album is “canal street.” Canal Street is located in Lower Manhattan, where Sombr was raised, which adds an extremely personal element to the song while still remaining relatable to listeners.
“Canal street” breaks the fourth wall as it talks to the specific person the whole album is about. Specifically, the lyric, “Do you hear me crying out for you on the radio,” is a callout to a specific person, the inspiration for Sombr’s heartbreaking lyrics.
Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of Sombr’s album is every song was written completely by him. It seems many artists hire a team of writers for their songs, but Sombr stuck to his own passion for song writing and wrote every lyric on his own.
As Sombr increases in popularity, it is only natural to consider the possibility of a Best New Artist Grammy nomination for Sombr. He is definitely in the running, as he has already received an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best New Artist alongside many other talented artists who skyrocketed onto the music scene within the last year.
Sombr is a force to be reckoned with after his successful debut album release. People should keep an eye on him and his music as he continues to rock the industry.
