IT’S A BOP- Lynn M.

On Aug. 2, the singer-songwriter known as Sombr released his debut album I Barely Know Her. The album featured several of his single hits, including “back to friends” and “undressed,” both of which had garnered global attention and success. In a matter of months, “back to friends” had reached the Top Ten of the United States’ Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 7 on Jan 10. The song also won him the 2025 VMA award for Best Alternative Music Video. The album itself reached top 12 in the U.S. and top 5 in several other countries.

With I Barely Know Her’s tremendous success has come very few critiques, and for good reason. This album is raw and packed full of novel talent. Following the sequence of events that comes with heartbreak, the stages of grieving, and letting go of someone, I Barely Know Her fully captures how it feels to hurt and what it feels like to finally begin to heal with painstaking accuracy. Being able to encapsulate the feelings that come with that entire process so well is a beautifully poetic but impressive feat. That alone overshadows any amateur musical composition that comes from a lack of experience.

I Barely Know Her’s lyrics are thoughtful, the guitar is killer, and who doesn’t like a tall, dark-haired boy who can sing?

The album opens with the song “crushing,” a strong beginning presence that includes classic Sombr vocals with guitar progressions to match. His whiny (but good) singing blends perfectly into the theme of reminiscing over a past love. When the chorus hits, the song only gets better with lyrics and a beat that create the perfect balance between pop and prose. The double meaning of the word ‘crushing’ creates a deeper motif for the song and is an impressive way to describe how it feels to go from crushing on someone to being crushed by their rejection.

“12 to 12” follows after the first track. The beat on this song too, captures you right away and wraps you fully into the song. It’s no wonder that it’s been topping the charts. The lyricism is on point, portraying a story, although specific, that almost any listener could relate to. I mean, who hasn’t ever felt unlovable? Better yet, who hasn’t ever wanted to ask the question, “Do our hearts still beat in tune?” It’s poetic lines like these that aren’t in short supply throughout this album, something I find myself loving.

This is even more evident in “i wish i knew how to quit you.” This song feels like listening to a poem with a band playing in tandem, and the light reverb present from the first note adds a nice touch that sits pleasantly on the ears. Pair that with his deeper, raspier vocals, and you have the perfect symbolism for feeling anger rise from the hurt and a deep sorrow from the loss of someone you gave your heart to. And again, the song tells a story, and we start to see small hints of acceptance, and the lyrics themselves get even more metaphorical. The most potent line of this song is found in the second verse. “You’re the echo in my veins.” Otherwise known as the most romantic thing I’ve heard in my entire life. I think he means that this person was his heartbeat, his life source, that still thrums within him. A 20-year-old man wrote that. If only every artist had that kind of feeling behind their lyrics.

The fourth track of the album, another hit single, “back to friends”, is arguably one of the best songs on the entire album. The opening piano sequence sets the tone and really takes you through the progression of the chords and the emotions that go along with the entire song. When watching the music video for this song (Did I mention it’s award-winning?), every second of visual, metaphorical, or otherwise, paints a scene that pulls at the heartstrings and snags in your soul. Even without the extra context that comes with a video, this song is brutally good at planting a story in your head. It takes you through the motions. For this song, that means the questioning stage, the reflection, and simply wondering why?

From there, the album takes a turn with “canal street”, a slower and softer song. It covers the reminiscing part of grieving a breakup while continuing the confessions of self-deprivation and questioning everything about himself. The following song, “dime”, returns to the regular Sombr vocals and pop-central guitar. He gives the title meaning with the line, “‘Cause you’re a ten and I’m a man that needs a dime.” There’s also power in the repetition of the line, “Can I get it through to you… We can be more than friends.” We’re over halfway through the album and still, the spiral of emotions says: I still need you. I’m not over it.

On the 7th track, we find ourselves listening to yet another hit single. “Undressed” is the song where, finally, he begins to blame his ex for the breakup and the pain he’s experiencing. He tells her, “ I was the lampost to which you were tethered,” and “… the glimmer in your eyes is sayin’ you wanna leave.” But this song is still complex in the way that there is still the theme presented in the chorus, “I don’t wanna get undressed for a new person all over again.” Or my personal favorite line, “… I don’t wanna learn learn another scent. I don’t want the children of another man to have the eyes of the girl that I won’t forget”. What a yearner.

“Come closer” opens with a catchy rhythm and an upbeat tempo that brings the album full circle. The guitar gets kinda angsty (my favorite form of guitar and the only way to properly use one). The listener gets a sense of not just longing, but craving. Overall, it’s a flawless song. “We never dated” follows the same route musically. And in my opinion, the opening verse reminds me of the soulful, low vocals Hozier uses. Finally, in this song, we get the acceptance of the outcome of the breakup. Contradicting at some points with praise for his ex, Sombr is mainly saying, I’m still aching, but I wish you the best. Just good luck to the next guy.

The final track, “under the mat,” opens with a keyboard that brings a whole new vibe to the album. As a listener, you immediately notice the switch-up. The emotion is still there, yes, but in the place of such a strong spiraling feeling, we get the sense that he must be over it. The whole song covers an in-depth story of his love, and what went wrong, like he’s simply recalling a thing that happened to him before. The song wraps up nicely with a progression of piano and a closing ad lib, “That’s the album, man,” further solidifying the point. A nice close for an ending. And what a truly incredible experience to go through the crazy spiral that so many people know all too well with all the heart that Sombr describes it with.

It’s a Bop – Isabella S.

He claims he barely knows her, but…plot twist…he’s lying.

Sombr’s debut album shows off a talent that makes me think, “Dang, ok guy, you’re really only 20 years old??” This album combines unique lyricism and storytelling with beautifully pained and angsty vocals that all come together to create something immersive, vulnerable, and relatable. I was a fan of his backlist before this new album’s release, but needless to say, I can definitely see why this composition went so viral and lives rent-free in the minds and hearts of so many. Shane Michael Boose is too much of a lover boy for his own good. Poor guy.

The album opens with “crushing.” I appreciate that this title has a double meaning. Crushing as in “The love I feel is debilitating, and I’m in pain” as well as crushing as in “We used to really like each other, what happened?” I hear the anguish and frustration in the vocals and think it complements the sound well. The line “Sometimes I feel like I could leave this place, but then I think about my mother’s face.” He’s so unwell that for a split second, maybe he thinks that life isn’t worth living if he can’t have her. It’s so sweet and wholesome that in the middle of this chaos and hurt, he thinks of his mom. I like the depth of feeling in this line specifically, but I wish the whole song had more of that. With this song, we get Sombr’s classic sound, but lyrically, it doesn’t necessarily stick out to me.

Following that classic opener is “12 to 12.” Right off the bat, the beat sticks out as super catchy, but the vocals contradict that when they come in as sad and confused. The juxtaposition of those two things feels intentional, and I admire how it captures the idea that in a breakup, one may experience many different emotions simultaneously. The lyrics tell a story, and he uses this story to sort of ask, “What did I do, and how can I show you I love you? Would it even matter if I loved you, because you don’t love me, do you?” He gives words to the feeling of spiraling, the anxious uncertainty of the undefined love, the whirlwind of thoughts racing through an angsty adolescent’s mind. “Maybe I’m delusional, and the way you act is usual, maybe in another world I don’t feel so unlovable.” Loving is so vulnerable that it can make us feel stupid. That’s lowkey a beautiful thing.

“i wish i knew how to quit you.” Mmm, don’t we all? I really enjoy the depth in this third track. He knows they don’t fit together, but who ever naturally wants what’s good for them? I get the feeling here of not only longing but the sheer disappointment of there having been “not much exchanged” and finding the courage to be vulnerable only for it all to crash and burn. There is a part of you that always stays with a person and vice versa. “You’re the echo in my veins.” It’s easy to think that the “you” he’s quitting is a lover, and I don’t think that’s a wrong assumption, but the language used throughout the song also – I think- metaphorically speaks to the pain and withdrawal we see in real-world drug addiction. He is so enticed by this love, so captivated, but maybe also codependent? “I wish I knew how to quit…but I’m addicted to you more and more.” I love songs that make me think, that seem to imply a deeper or double meaning. This does that for me, and I love Sombr’s writing style all the more for it.

Track four is the renowned VMA winner “back to friends.” The composition of the music speaks for itself, but the lyricism and the longing here??? So many people have gone through that, and the relatability of it is what made it go so viral, I think. There’s an overwhelming theme here of not wanting things to change, or, rather, wishing they didn’t change so quickly. “How can you look at me and pretend I’m someone you’ve never met?” and “I’m holding on too tight while you let go, this is casual” are some of my favorite lines in this song. He’s wondering if what they had matters to her at all. Many listeners have probably experienced this specific feeling, and I think it won the VMA for that reason; people love to feel heard. Now… don’t hate me… but this song is too WAY overplayed. Its popularity kind of desensitized me to the lyricism, and I don’t know that it can come back from that. Still a good song, but doesn’t really do it for me anymore.

Following that, we slow things down and with track five, “canal street.” I LOVE how soft this song is. The acoustic closeness paired with vulnerable lyrics makes for the perfect matchup. He’s longing not for “the girls that could cover the magazines” but for his lover, her, and just her. He won’t apologize for the relentless yearning either, which I respect. He’s essentially saying with this song that “We used to do this life together, and now you’ve chosen not to be here with me, and I miss you. I didn’t see this coming, so does that mean I don’t know you like I think I do?” The quiet earnestness in his questioning is so sweet and authentic. “I try to go on dates,… I look for girls with your traits…but none of them are you.” He’s a man who knows what he wants! We like that in this house! “And it kills my mom…” He mentions his mom here, much like he did in “crushing.” I think of what it must be like to not only go through heartbreak yourself but to watch, as a parent, your child go through it. I enjoy seeing him think about the ramifications of his situation on the other family members. There’s so much to love about this song, and it’s definitely one of my favorites.

Track 6 is “dime”. Such an underrated piece of music. I’m a sucker for a good metaphor, and this little flirt delivered some bars!! “ ‘Cause you’re a ten and I’m a man that needs a dime.” What a silly guy. This song is the speech before the define the relationship talk. Because guess what? “We can be more than friends!!” Uhh, yes, sir, yeah, we can! Amen!! “But I just can’t seem to cheer up knowing you’ll forget about me.” The fear in that statement! It’s saying, “let’s define this before I have to say goodbye to you, and we grow apart. I want you, and I want you to want me too. I don’t want you to leave.” Beautiful emotive imagery here. “Is it a crime to care so much for another and left with nothing for yourself? When you’re the one who needs help?” All this longing is taking a toll on him, and for what? Disappointment? “dime” is a fun, silly, goofy time, but I also see how all that silliness could be an attempt at masking his hurt at the uncertainty of this situation. Such a deep thought.
Thus far, we’ve seen songs from Sombr where he’s blaming himself for the breakup.“undressed” transitions to “it’s not me, it’s you language”, taking the blame off himself and putting it on the ex. There’s a theme here of: I know you and love you, and it hurts, but don’t make me start all over with someone new. He was tired, deeply exasperated, and over it. “I don’t want to get undressed for a new person all over again,” and “I don’t want the children of another man to have the eyes of the girl I won’t forget.” What a poetic little guy. It’s clearly a hit single for good reason, but it’s not my personal favorite.

“come closer” is up next. I didn’t love this one. Let me get that out there. At the intro, we get a fun and accurate analogy of him waiting for his girl to call, as a dog waits for a bone. I think that line is creative. He also FINALLY speaks up for himself! “You’re the only one I want, and I ain’t one of your pawns.” Don’t disrespect me. Don’t be all wishy-washy in the way you love me because I don’t deserve that. That being said, the rest of the song is a little too repetitive for my liking. There is definitely less depth in these lyrics and lust-filled infatuation instead of real and raw love.

“We never dated.” That’s right, we never did, but I still can’t decide if I hate you or not because you matter to me, but you infuriate me too. That’s what this song says to me.“I can’t make you love me” over and over, but.. newsflash, I LOVE YOU, you bum! “How come we never even dated, but I still find myself thinking of you daily?” He’s frustrated with himself for falling for her and still being so captivated, even though he’s mad. This roller coaster of a song seems to go through the five stages of grief, but it satisfyingly ends in acceptance.

“under the mat” closes out the album on a good note. Sombr lists out differences between him and his lover and reasons why they potentially couldn’t have worked out, but “When we got together, it was love.” He’s justifying all the wrongs with a right, and so many listeners will know how that feels. Love was bigger than all their flaws for him, but not for her, because “she locked the door, but she left the key under the mat.” This feels true in both a metaphorical and literal sense. I love that kind, artfully placed, thought-provoking line. A great ending to a great album!

I Barely Know Her mixes raw emotion and raw vocals in a way that encapsulates heartbreak and unrequited love so well. Anything worthwhile is obviously going to receive a healthy amount of criticism, though. I, for one, enjoyed this album quite a bit. However, as I said, Sombr is a little bit too much of a lover boy. This album is great, but I have to be in the mood to hear him out.

What do you think of I Barely Know Her? We want to hear your opinions, so let us know in the comments!