Written by Taylor Memoli
They say the easiest subject to write a song about is heartbreak. It’s a feeling too heavy to carry alone, one that demands expression. Millions of breakup songs already exist, but on August 22, sombr added his voice to that tradition. But his debut album, I Barely Know Her, doesn’t just put his name on the list; it carves out his own space within it. While themes of heartbreak may be familiar, sombr brings them to life through his devastatingly honest lyrics and genuine passion for his former lover.
His singles “back to friends” and “undressed” catapulted him into the spotlight, dominating TikTok For You pages worldwide. Both tracks encapsulate male yearning, highlighting aspects of intimacy and vulnerability that are universal yet rarely spoken about from the male perspective. In an era where males are often perceived as manipulative or performative, sombr offers something refreshingly authentic, an emotional transparency that listeners have been waiting for.
That breakthrough made him the face of male yearning, a reputation solidified by the release of I Barely Know Her, even referencing his former lover in the title in a clever play on words. More than just another heartbroken ex, sombr is coping publicly, turning private pain into music that resonates. The album’s beauty lies in the unique lyricism and depth he brings to the genre. It’s a debut that not only validates his talent but also establishes his place in the new generation of pop.
Each of the 10 tracks reflects a different fragment of a breakup. Rather than following a clean arc from heartbreak to healing, the songs unfold like scattered memories. There are moments of longing, flashes of bitterness, glimpses of acceptance. Together, they capture the messy, nonlinear process of letting go.
The album opens with “crushing,” in which sombr introduces his listeners to better days with his ex, stating, “I miss the days when we were crushing on each other/ Now you’re just crushing my soul, my lover.”
The groovy, upbeat, musical mis-unified song introduces the listeners not only to sombr’s heartbreak, but also his style.
While the album was already known to have its gut-wrenching slowed-down tracks through its initial singles, the occasional breaks of his upbeat songs, such as “come closer” and “12 to 12,” prove that sombr can handle this other genre insanely well. The lyrics, along with the music, are catchy, while still telling a story to keep listeners engaged.
“Come closer” opens with an electric guitar riff and sombr’s harmonic vocals, two elements not unfamiliar for this album. sombr’s classically trained vocals give this track a dream-like element, making the 2025 pop song feel almost nostalgic.
Throughout listening to all the new songs, the highlight of this album remains with “12 to 12.” The retro, electric guitar-driven track brings pop perfection to sombr’s catalog. When placed in a crowded room, sombr still can’t help but think about the one he loves. This song, paired with the ’70s retro and romantic music video starring Addison Rae, was the perfect formula for the song of the summer if only it had been released at the beginning of the season.
“Canal street” brings the album back to the heartbreak at hand; It’s the song that brings sombr’s story to life. No metaphors, no rock instrumentals, just pure emotion. The whole point of this album can be summarized through its line: “Can you hear me crying out for you on the radio?” sombr is aware of his feelings, and “canal street” feels like the head of this album.
The following track, “dime,” follows the heartbreak of “canal street” with the lines “You’re living in the city, and I’m living in the crevices of your heart.” With the same devastating lyrics and upbeat music as “back to friends,” sombr proves his ability to play with musical unity is not over yet in this album.
The album closes with “under the mat.” The title itself plays on both the conclusion of a breakup and the ending of the record. Yet, unlike many albums that attempt to end their albums on a high note, sombr resists this type of closure. “She locked the door, but she left the key under the mat,” he sings, admitting that this story is far from finished. Healing is a possible choice, but that choice is left unanswered, left to the listeners to discover in their own stories. sombr told his story; now it is the listener’s turn.
There is no doubt sombr can sing about love and heartbreak, and he has proved that over the years and through this album. But as he works on more projects, it will be interesting to see him write music beyond these themes and give listeners a deeper dive into his mind and life. If I Barely Know Her shows listeners anything, it’s that sombr has stories to tell, and plenty of listeners will be waiting to hear them.
