Sombr

Last updated

Sombr
Sombr, Islington Academy, London (cropped).jpg
Sombr performing in London in 2025
Born
Shane Michael Boose

(2005-07-05) July 5, 2005 (age 20)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2021–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
Website sombrmusic.com

Shane Michael Boose (born July 5, 2005), known professionally as Sombr (sometimes stylized in lowercase), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. [1] He released his debut single "Nothing Left to Say" in 2021 and his first extended play (EP) In Another Life in 2023, through Warner Records and his own imprint SMB. [2] [3]

Contents

In 2025, Sombr's singles "Back to Friends" and "Undressed" gained virality on TikTok and became his breakout hits, reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Global 200 and the top 40 of the Hot 100. [4] [5] Internationally, both songs also achieved notable success, charting within the top ten in multiple countries. His debut studio album, I Barely Know Her (2025), which includes the two previous singles as well as the follow-up singles "We Never Dated" and "12 to 12", [6] was a commercial success. At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, Sombr was nominated for three categories, including Best New Artist, winning Best Alternative Video for "Back to Friends".

Early life

Shane Michael Boose was born on July 5, 2005, [7] in New York City, and raised on the Lower East Side. [8] Boose attended LaGuardia High School as a vocal major but dropped out during his junior year after releasing "Caroline" in June 2022. [9] [10] He is currently based in Los Angeles, California. [11]

Boose was introduced to GarageBand at the end of elementary school and began experimenting with layering tracks and harmonies. In middle school, he advanced to using Logic Pro X and learning production techniques through online tutorials. By high school, he had started pursuing music more seriously and focused on producing his own material rather than working with outside producers. [12]

Career

2021–2025: Career beginnings

Boose adopted the stage name "Sombr" upon the release of his debut single, explaining that the name incorporated his initials (SMB) and reflected his emotional state at the time. [3] He released his debut single "Nothing Left to Say" in October 2021. [13] In early 2023, following the virality of his fourth single "Caroline" (2022), Sombr signed a record deal with Warner Records and released "Weak", his first single with the record label. [14] [15] In September 2023, he released his debut EP In Another Life, co-produced by Tony Berg. [2] [3]

2025–present: Breakthrough and I Barely Know Her

In March 2025, Sombr earned widespread attention when two of his songs "Back to Friends" and "Undressed" gained popularity after going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok. [4] The virality led to increased on-demand streams and chart appearances in multiple countries. In Sombr's home country, both songs reached the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 20 on the Billboard Global 200. [5] [16] "Undressed" topped the Irish Singles Chart and entered the top five in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. "Back to Friends" also landed within the top five in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. [17] [18] [19] The success of both songs led to Sombr's first major award recognition, earning three nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best New Artist, winning one for Best Alternative Video (for "Back to Friends"). [20] [21] [22] He was also among the performers at the award ceremony, which took place on September 7, 2025. [23] [24]

Having previously performed as a supporting act on tours for Nessa Barrett and Daniel Seavey, [25] [26] in April 2025, Sombr announced his first solo concert tour, set to cover North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. [26] [27] The North American and European legs began on May 25 in Dublin and is scheduled to conclude on October 28 in Los Angeles. [26] It will then continue with the Australia and New Zealand legs, starting on December 2 in Auckland and ending on December 14 in Gold Coast. [27] Additional European dates were announced in July 2025, with performances planned from February to March 2026, beginning in Stockholm and concluding in Dublin. [28]

In May 2025, Sombr was featured on Billboard's annual 21 Under 21 list. [29] He made his live television performance debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 20, performing "Back to Friends". [30] [8] On June 3, he appeared on the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, performing "Undressed" and a cover of "Ribs" by Lorde. [31] In July, he also performed "Undressed" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! . Additionally, he has appeared on the Sirius XM and Audiotree live segments, which included a cover of "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star and "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead, respectively. [32] [33]

On June 17, 2025, Sombr announced the single "We Never Dated", released on June 20, [34] [35] which became his third top 40 in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. [17] On July 25, he released the single "12 to 12", accompanied by a music video featuring Addison Rae. [36] The song marked another notable success for Sombr, reaching the top ten in Australia, [37] Ireland, [17] Norway, [38] Sweden, [39] and the United Kingdom, [17] and becoming his third song to enter the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200. [16]

On August 11, 2025, Sombr announced his debut album I Barely Know Her , released on August 22, 2025, which included the aforementioned four singles. [6] It received positive reviews from publications including Rolling Stone , [40] NME , [41] and Variety . [42]

Artistry

Sombr's musical genres have been described as alternative rock, [24] indie rock, [43] alternative pop, [44] and rock 'n' roll. [8] His musical influences include Jeff Buckley, Phoebe Bridgers, Radiohead, [14] John Lennon, David Bowie, Elton John, Billie Eilish, Brian Wilson, the Rolling Stones, the Velvet Underground, Prince, and Oasis. [45]

Sombr's songwriting often deals with heartbreak, unrequited love, and emotional introspection, drawing inspiration from romantic films such as The Notebook and Call Me By Your Name . [9]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended-plays

Tours

Headlining

Supporting

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations for Sombr
AwardYearNominee / WorkCategoryResultRef.
MTV Video Music Awards 2025 Himself Best New Artist Nominated [22]
"Back to Friends" Best Alternative Video Won
"12 to 12" Song of Summer Nominated
NRJ Music Award 2025HimselfInternational Breakthrough of the YearPending [46]

References

  1. ↑ Schagen, Audrey van (March 25, 2025). "sombr voices his fear of loss and the vulnerability of becoming 'undressed' for someone new". Melodic Mag. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  2. 1 2 McMillan, Blake (February 5, 2024). "sombr Brings His Indie Rock Sound Home to Brooklyn's Baby's All Right". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sombr". 1883 Magazine. November 17, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Zellner, Xander (April 8, 2025). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Sombr Scores First Entry With 'Back to Friends'". Billboard . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Peaks in the US:
  6. 1 2 Horowitz, Steven J. (August 11, 2025). "Sombr Announces Debut Album 'I Barely Know Her'". Variety . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ "sombr - Artist". Movin' 92.5 . Retrieved August 19, 2025. Born in Manhattan, New York, on July 5, 2005, musician and performer Sombr has built a strong reputation as a songwriter.
  8. 1 2 3 Greenwood, Douglas (August 17, 2025). "Sombr Interview on His Debut Album, Addison Rae, and Rock Stardom". I-D . Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Sombr: The Indie Pop Prodigy Redefining Heartbreak". Lush Collective. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  10. ↑ Spout Podcast (April 1, 2025). Sombr: From LaGuardia to the Charts—And Elton John's Playlist?! . Retrieved April 16, 2025– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ "Sombr Talks Dropping Out of High School to Chase His Dreams and Reveals 2 Rom-Coms That've Inspired His Music (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ "sombr". 97.9 WRMF. Hubbard Broadcasting. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (April 24, 2025). "Sombr 'Didn't Want to Just Do Ballads Forever' — So He Pushed the Tempo and Scored Two Hot 100 Hits". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  15. ↑ Kruger, Jonah (January 27, 2023). "Singer-songwriter sombr signs to Warner Records, drops new single 'weak': Exclusive". Consequence . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Peaks on the Billboard Global 200 chart:
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Sombr Songs and Albums". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  18. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  19. ↑ Peaks in New Zealand:
  20. ↑ Willman, Chris (August 5, 2025). "Lady Gaga Leads MTV VMAs Nominations With 12, Followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar". Variety . Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  21. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 29, 2025). "Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter & More Nominated in Social Categories at 2025 VMAs: Full List". Billboard . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Irvin, Jack (September 7, 2025). "MTV VMAs 2025: See the Complete Winners List". People . Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  23. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 18, 2025). "Sabrina Carpenter, sombr, Alex Warren & More to Perform on 2025 MTV VMAs". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  24. 1 2 Unterberger, Andrew (September 8, 2025). "Sombr Makes VMAs Debut With Blazing Two-Song Medley at 2025 Awards". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  25. 1 2 Denning, Reagan (November 19, 2024). "Nessa Barrett follows album, "Aftercare", with a world tour". Melodic Mag. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 Denning, Reagan (April 23, 2025). "Sombr takes The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour on the road". Melodic Mag. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  27. 1 2 Lynch, Jessica (May 19, 2025). "Sombr Announces 2025 Australia and New Zealand Headline Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  28. ↑ Taylor, Sam (July 14, 2026). "Sombr has booked a 2026 UK and European tour". Dork. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Billboard's 21 Under 21: See Who Made the 2025 List". Billboard . May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Sombr Makes Late Night TV Debut On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". antiMusic. May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  31. ↑ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1's Live Lounge, Sombr". BBC. June 3, 2025. Archived from the original on June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  32. ↑ Bernstein, Scott (June 30, 2025). "Watch sombr Perform Mesmerizing Acoustic 'Fade Into You' Cover For SiriusXM". JamBase. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  33. ↑ "sombr on Audiotree Live". June 27, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025– via YouTube.
  34. ↑ "i love being fed. we never dated out 6/20 in 5 days #sombr" . Retrieved June 18, 2025– via TikTok.
  35. ↑ "Sombr Steps Into the Spotlight: Queer-Affirming Debut Album 'I Barely Know Her' Arrives This Month". EDGE Media Network. August 12, 2025. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  36. ↑ Mier, Tomás (July 24, 2025). "Addison Rae Is Sombr's Sultry Obsession in '12 to 12′ Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  38. ↑ Peaks in Norway:
  39. ↑ "Veckolista Album, vecka 39, 2025" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  40. ↑ 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.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ 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.
  43. ↑ Stengel, Gracie (March 23, 2025). "Sombr: A Journey Through Emotion And Indie Sound". The Garnette Report. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  44. ↑ "A Sombr tale: warner's alt-pop troubadour turns tears into streams". Hits Daily Double. March 26, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  45. ↑ Dwihartana, Simon (August 29, 2025). "What's Sombr's Favorite Taste?". Interview Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  46. ↑ Électorales, Elle Suit Toutes Les Soirées; Roland-Garros., sauf pendant (September 22, 2025). "NRJ Music Awards 2025 : David Guetta et Alex Warren en tête des nominations, carton plein pour la "Star Academy"... Découvrez la liste complète des nommés". Puremédias (in French). Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
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