By Katy Korstange, Guest Writer

Sombr released his debut album “I Barely Know Her” on Aug. 22, following the rise in popularity of his hit singles “Undressed” and “Back to Friends,” which appeared in Spotify’s Global Top 50 for many weeks in a row. 

Famed for his heartbreaking lyrics, his breakout album is all that and more. Sombr combines upbeat jams, sad boy indie and even disco rock to create an ecosystem of heartbreak. This breakup album includes 10 relatable songs marking a promising start to his musical career. 

Anyone who has ever been broken up with can understand the visceral feeling of being dumped.  Sombr encompasses this feeling in his song “Under the Mat” with the lyrics “I was doing fine until it hit me on a random day in July/ That she’ll never be mine again in this lifetime.”  The music, especially the concluding piano led key change, encompasses the feelings of sadness and despair that comes with losing a love. This song is so great, it makes you want to pretend you aren’t in a relationship, just to feel and relate with the true emotions of the song.  

If you enjoyed Sombr’s singles, the full album is worth a listen. Standout tracks like “Canal Street” and “I Wish I Knew How to Quit You” pay tribute to the musical style and sound that Sombr is most famous for. Being personal and universally relatable, these songs both talk about themes of longing for an ex and feeling lost without them.  

Another standout song is “12 to 12,” which combines Sombr’s usual vibes with a disco funk sound that creates a vibrant feel on the surface while carrying deep emotional weight underneath. The lyrics “In a room full of people, I look for you/ Would you avoid me? Or would you look for me too?” have influenced a TikTok trend asking, “Who is Your 12 to 12?” where users talk about the one person they would look for in a room full of people. 

This album tells a story of heartbreak that anyone can relate to. It tells that story in a way that is innovative, which is something that is hard to achieve in the increasingly vast world of today’s music. 

The songs are authentically written and display excellent musicality. This is to be expected since the album is co-produced by Tony Berg, who has produced for several big names such as Taylor Swift and Boygenius. Every song on the album is written by Sombr himself, which is something that some big named artists cannot say. 

Sombr is an artist on the rise; from taking over TikTok trends to being in Spotify’s Global Top 50, the album is a big hit. In Cincinnati, his sold-out concert at Bogart’s has been moved to a bigger venue at The Andrew J Brady Music Center after the release of his album. 

Many fans and new listeners can agree that Sombr’s debut album has exceeded expectations in the best way possible and will pave the way for his standout musical career.