I Barely Know Her

Last updated

I Barely Know Her
I Barely Know Her - Sombr (Cover).png
Studio album by
Sombr
ReleasedAugust 22, 2025
Studio Sound City Studios [1]
Genre
Length37:47
Label
Producer
Sombr chronology
In Another Life
(2023)		I Barely Know Her
(2025)
Singles from I Barely Know Her
  1. "Back to Friends"
    Released: December 27, 2024
  2. "Undressed"
    Released: March 21, 2025
  3. "We Never Dated"
    Released: June 20, 2025
  4. "12 to 12"
    Released: July 24, 2025

I Barely Know Her is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Sombr, released on August 22, 2025, through Warner Records and Sombr's own imprint SMB. Blending pop and indie rock, the record features lyrics centered on heartbreak, longing, self-reflection, and New York City. Written entirely by Sombr, the album was preceded by four singles: "Back to Friends", "Undressed", "We Never Dated", and "12 to 12", with the first two marking his commercial breakthrough.

Contents

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, with praise for its production and Sombr's songwriting, though it was criticized for a lack of variety and reliance on familiar formulas. Commercially, I Barely Know Her reached the top five in Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden, while landing within the top ten in nine other countries. In the US, it has peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200. Additionally, the album has accumulated over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify.

Background and composition

Sombr announced his debut studio album, I Barely Know Her, on August 11, 2025, accompanied by the release of its full track listing. Written entirely by Sombr, the album included four of his recent singles: "Back to Friends" and "Undressed", which gained widespread attention after going viral on social media, as well as "We Never Dated" and "12 to 12". [2] [3]

The album incorporates elements of pop and indie rock, characterized by layered vocal harmonies and expanded instrumentation. Sombr co-produced the album with Tony Berg, performing guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums on most tracks. Lyrically, the album is structured as a breakup record, exploring themes of heartbreak, longing, and emotional self-reflection. [4] Several songs reference New York City, contrasting romanticized imagery with depictions of everyday reality. [5] Tracks such as "Undressed" and "Canal Street" address personal loss and nostalgia, [4] while "12 to 12" and "Under the Mat" pair more upbeat arrangements with lyrics centered on emotional turmoil. [5]

Release and promotion

Singles

I Barely Know Her was preceded by four singles: "Back to Friends", "Undressed", "We Never Dated", and "12 to 12". [2] [3]

"Back to Friends", released on December 27, 2024, went viral on TikTok in early 2025 and topped the Spotify Global Weekly Chart in July. [6] It became Sombr’s first entry on both the Billboard Global 200 and the Hot 100, [7] peaking at numbers six and 30, [8] [9] respectively, while also reaching number one on the Alternative Airplay chart. [10] Internationally, it reached the top five in Australia, [11] Ireland, [12] New Zealand, [13] the Philippines, [14] and Singapore, [15] and the top ten in several other countries, [16] [17] eventually surpassing 700 million streams on Spotify. [18] Its music video was released on April 3, [19] followed by Sombr's debut television performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 20, 2025. [20]

The second single, "Undressed", was released on March 21, 2025, and experienced similar virality, peaking at number 25 on the Hot 100 and number 11 on the Global 200, while also topping the Hot Rock Songs. [21] [22] Internationally, it reached number one in Ireland, [12] and reached the top five in Australia, [23] New Zealand, [13] and the United Kingdom, [12] among other countries. It has surpassed 400 million streams on Spotify. [24] The music video was released on May 8, 2025. [25] On July 23, Sombr performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! . [26]

The third and fourth singles, "We Never Dated" and "12 to 12", were released on June 20 and July 24, 2025, respectively. Both songs achieved moderate success, becoming Sombr’s third and fourth entries on the Global 200. [27] [28] "12 to 12" became his third top-ten hit in Ireland, reaching number seven. [12] The "12 to 12" music video, featuring Addison Rae, was released alongside the single. [29]

Tour

Following the success of the first two singles, Sombr has embarked on his first solo concert tour, announced in April 2025 and set to cover North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The North American and European legs began on May 25 and are scheduled to conclude on October 28. The tour will then continue with its Australia and New Zealand legs, starting on December 2 and ending on December 14. [30] [31] Additional European dates were announced in July 2025, with performances planned from February to March 2026. [32]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [33]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
PopMatters 9/10 [34]

Steven J. Horowitz of Variety praised I Barely Know Her as a confident and fully realized debut, noting that Sombr "elevates the bedroom pop of his earlier work, giving it a more muscular, swaggering sound" while maintaining the emotional vulnerability that defined his earlier singles. He described the album as "a breakup album in the traditional sense", highlighting tracks like "Undressed" and "Canal Street" for their intimacy and wistful lyricism, while commending upbeat songs such as "12 to 12" and "Under the Mat" for blending themes of heartbreak with vibrant production. Drawing comparisons to The Beach Boys' harmonies and Brian Wilson's vocal style, Horowitz also credited co-producer Tony Berg with broadening Sombr's sound and concluded that the album "marks a triumphant arrival" and "the first real statement from an artist with a clear vision and a sound that grows more distinct with each release." [4]

In another positive review, Larisha Paul of Rolling Stone lauded the album for its "enamored, uninhibited" spirit and its ability to balance a romanticized vision of New York City with its harsher realities. She highlighted "12 to 12" for its "intoxicating scene" and "deep grooves", noting how Sombr "makes heartbreak sound alluring" through vivid storytelling and lush production alongside co-producer Tony Berg. Tracks like "Canal Street" were described as the album's emotional centerpiece, showcasing Sombr's "melancholy and melodies" and drawing comparisons to Olivia Rodrigo's "Traitor" while also commending tracks such as "Under the Mat" and "Come Closer" for their layered harmonies and confident performances. Paul concluded that Sombr's debut demonstrates "distinct internal confidence and external charm", positioning him as one of pop’s most compelling emerging voices. [5]

Ali Shutler of NME similarly praised I Barely Know Her as a smart and cathartic reimagining of the breakup album, framing it as a leap from Sombr's viral bedroom-pop roots into slick, festival-ready territory. While the early hits "Undressed" and "Back to Friends" are acknowledged as foundational, Shutler emphasized that the album's true strengths emerge in tracks like "Crushing", "Come Closer", "Dime", and "12 to 12". Shutler concluded that Sombr delivered a debut that feels both deeply personal and ambitiously expansive. [33] Nina Kudlacz of The Luna Collective described the album as a debut that channels vulnerability through expressive songwriting and refined indie rock-infused arrangements, portraying it as a unifying and emotionally resonant record. [35]

In a mixed review, Pavel Snapkou of Showbiz by PS noted the lack of effort put into the record, which affected its variety and led to monotony, comparing it to the works of viral TikTok artists whose full-length albums are often hastily built around a few hits. He remarked that "these songs could have stayed as standalone singles," but ultimately concluded that "what we got is a lazy, distortion-and-reverb-soaked project." [36]

Commercial performance

The first-week figures of I Barely Know Her reflected only streaming and digital download activity, as physical formats (CD, LP, and cassette) are set for later release in November 2025. In the United States, the album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, earning 31,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, and number two on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums. [37] On the following week, it rose to number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Rock & Alternative chart, [38] [39] earning 27,000 album-equivalent units. [40] In its third week, the album reached number ten, earning 29,000 album-equivalent units. [41] In Canada, the album debuted at number 12 and entered the top ten at number nine in its second week. [42]

Internationally, the album performed strongly across Europe and Oceania, achieving its highest placement in Lithuania, where it debuted at number two. [43] It peaked at number three in New Zealand, [44] number four in Australia, [45] the Czech Republic, [46] and Norway, [47] and number five in Finland [48] and Sweden. [49] Additionally, the album secured top-ten placements in Austria, [50] Ireland, [51] the Netherlands, [52] Poland, [53] Portugal, [54] Slovakia, [55] Switzerland, [56] and the United Kingdom. [57]

As of September 10, 2025, I Barely Know Her has accumulated over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify. [58]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Shane Boose and co-produced by Sombr and Tony Berg, except "Back to Friends" and "We Never Dated" which are produced solely by Sombr.

I Barely Know Her track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Crushing"3:26
2."12 to 12"4:03
3."I Wish I Knew How to Quit You"3:52
4."Back to Friends"3:19
5."Canal Street"5:05
6."Dime"3:45
7."Undressed"3:02
8."Come Closer"3:15
9."We Never Dated"3:17
10."Under the Mat"4:45
Total length:37:47

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [59]

Charts

Chart performance for I Barely Know Her
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [45] 4
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [50] 8
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [60] 12
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [61] 63
Canadian Albums ( Billboard ) [42] 9
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI) [46] 4
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [62] 14
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [52] 9
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [48] 5
French Albums (SNEP) [63] 37
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [64] 19
German Rock & Metal Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [65] 9
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [66] 19
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn) [67] 10
Irish Albums (OCC) [51] 6
Italian Albums (FIMI) [68] 50
Japanese Download Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [69] 62
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) [43] 2
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [44] 3
Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge) [47] 4
Polish Albums (ZPAV) [53] 6
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [54] 9
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI) [55] 7
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [70] 42
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [49] 5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [56] 9
UK Albums (OCC) [57] 10
US Billboard 200 [71] [41] 10
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums ( Billboard ) [39] 1

Release history

Release dates and formats for I Barely Know Her
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousAugust 22, 2025
November 7, 2025

References

  1. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (August 14, 2025). "For Artists Like Gigi Perez and Sombr, Self-Producing Is 'An Experiment and an Adventure'". Billboard . Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Mier, Tomás (August 11, 2025). "Sombr Announces Debut Album 'I Barely Know Her' Following Breakthrough Year". Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Horowitz, Steven J. (August 11, 2025). "Sombr Announces Debut Album 'I Barely Know Her'". Variety . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Horowitz, Steven J. (August 22, 2025). "Sombr Steps From Bedroom Pop to the Big Stage on His Swaggering Debut 'I Barely Know Her': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Paul, Larisha (August 22, 2025). "Sombr's Debut Album Has Everything Pop Has Been Missing" . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Weekly Top Songs Global". Spotify Charts. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ Zellner, Xander (April 8, 2025). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Sombr Scores First Entry With 'Back to Friends'". Billboard . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Billboard Global 200: Week of June 21, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 16, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (June 6, 2025). "Sombr Earns His First Radio Chart No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Morgan Wallen has no problems at #1". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Sombr Songs and Albums". Official Charts Company . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. May 30, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  14. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 06/27/2025 to 07/03/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 8, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 27]
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  22. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of August 16, 2025" . Billboard . Retrieved August 13, 2025.
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  28. ↑ "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
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  30. ↑ Denning, Reagan (April 23, 2025). "Sombr takes The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour on the road". Melodic Mag. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  31. ↑ Lynch, Jessica (May 19, 2025). "Sombr Announces 2025 Australia and New Zealand Headline Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  32. ↑ Taylor, Sam (July 14, 2026). "Sombr has booked a 2026 UK and European tour". Dork. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  33. 1 2 Shutler, Ali (August 28, 2025). "Sombr – 'I Barely Know Her' review: smirking sad boy pop". NME. Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  34. ↑ Dwyer, Matthew (September 10, 2025). "Sombr Bares His Soul on Outstanding Rock-Inspired Debut". PopMatters . Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  35. ↑ "REVIEW: sombr's Debut Album 'I Barely Know Her' Unites Yearners Through Vulnerability". THE LUNA COLLECTIVE. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  36. ↑ Snapkou, Pavel (August 23, 2025). "Album Review: Sombr "I Barely Know Her"" . Showbiz by PS. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  37. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (September 2, 2025). "Sombr's 'Undressed' Becomes the First New No. 1 Hit on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs in 2025". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Billboard 200: Week of September 13, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  39. 1 2 "Top Rock & Alternative Albums: Week of September 13, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  40. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (September 10, 2025). "Sombr's 'I Barely Know Her' Rises to No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums Chart" . Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  41. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (September 14, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack Hits No. 1 on the Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  42. 1 2 "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of September 13, 2025". Billboard . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
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  45. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  46. 1 2 "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 35.Týden 2025 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  47. 1 2 "Album 2025 uke 35". IFPI Norge . Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  48. 1 2 "Sombr: I Barely Know Her" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  49. 1 2 "Veckolista Album, vecka 37, 2025" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  50. 1 2 "Austriancharts.at – Sombr – I Barely Know Her" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
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  61. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Sombr – I Barely Know Her" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
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