The 20-year-old’s stunning debut album ‘I Barely Know Her’ further reiterates this, with heartfelt lyrics and addictive melodies. The 10-song project explores themes of heartbreak through concepts of nostalgia and yearning for a lost love, perfectly encapsulating how isolating life can feel post-heartache.
Opening the album is ‘crushing’, a powerful indie rock anthem chronicling how someone can go from being your beloved to being someone you don’t recognise, seemingly overnight. Lyrics like “I miss the days when we were crushing on each other / Now you’re just crushing my soul, my lover” highlight the artist’s songwriting abilities - clever wordplay is utilised to demonstrate the shift from lover to stranger.
Following on from this is the hit ‘12 to 12’, an alluring track in which the narrator struggles to move on from an ex-lover; they are still the subject of sombr’s thoughts. The desire for closure is explored in this song, with plenty of questions being posed such as “Tell me is our story through? / Or do our hearts still beat in two?”.
Track three, ‘i wish i knew how to quit you’, opens with airy synths which are quickly followed by heavy drums, a distinct sound which once again, establishes sombr as a name to remember in the world of indie rock. The track likens love for an ex partner to an addiction - the feelings are all consuming and thus need to be discarded, yet this is easier said than done. The titular lyric itself can be seen as a cry for help; the singer desperately wants to feel okay again, but this feels incredibly out of reach.
The hit single ‘back to friends’ is a further tender exploration of this transition from lover to foe - how is it possible that the person who was once your most trusted is now a mere chapter. The cathartic nature of the track is matched with the slowly rising production; the desire for closure is once again too strong.
A clear standout on this record is track 5, ‘canal street’. A laidback piano ballad, this is different to the remainder of the album. Nostalgia fills the entire track, with the titular street being a place full to the brim of memories shared between the singer and his ex lover. Following the breakup, this street acts as a reminder of what once was - it is haunted by the ghost of a lost love. Similar to previous tracks, the concept of not knowing what the other person is up to is also explored on this song. Lyrics such as “Do you still smoke on the patio / Is your brother still in the hospital?” are a stark reminder of life continuing post heartbreak - you now know nothing about someone who once was your whole world.
Upbeat production is resumed on the following track, ‘Dime’, which is full of funky guitars and soaring vocals. Unlike the preceding tracks, this song does not explore the breakdown of a relationship, instead telling the story of someone deeply infatuated with another who views them in a solely platonic manner. This track is an open and honest confession of love - sombr believes he could be everything the subject of the song needs, given the chance.
Following on from this is ‘undressed’, a sultry song in which by contrast the narrator is still hurting post heartbreak, and cannot imagine pursuing another potential lover. Beneath the enticing production is emotional vulnerability - the feeling of being hesitant to open up due to past experiences is raw and harrowing.
‘come closer’ is another personal highlight from the record. With its 80s-inspired production, this track sounds exactly like something from a classic movie; it feels like something we have all loved and listened to for decades.
The penultimate track ‘we never dated’ is an exploration of the complexity and nuances of modern romance. This is most clearly showcased by the titular lyrics, “How come we never even dated / But I still find myself thinking of you daily?’. Similar to previous tracks, this song is full of honesty and emotional vulnerability. The uncertainty surrounding a situation where it hasn’t been made clear whether you are friends or more is daunting, and this back-and-forth dynamic is portrayed beautifully by the artist here.
Closing off the album is ‘under the mat’, a powerful synth track which tells the story of a relationship from beginning to end, from infatuation to loss. The art of songwriting shines on this track - the detailed lyrics paint a vivid image in the listener’s heads, being one of those special songs which in themselves could be a movie. Ending the album on such a strong note is a clever artistic choice - it leaves the fans wanting more, excited for what the future holds for the artist.
A debut album has one main purpose - to introduce the artist to the world, and this body of work does not disappoint. Throughout its 10-track run, it is full to the brim of sombr’s personality and signature style - these songs are alluring yet emotionally vulnerable. Whilst the artist may feel like he barely knows the titular ‘her’, the world of indie rock certainly knows him.