Heading into his fourth year of working in the music industry, Sombr has released his latest album, “I Barely Know Her” on Aug. 22. This album is quickly catching attention for its blend of catchy beats and emotional lyrics. Only two weeks after the album was released, it rose to number one on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart. 

The album connects personal experiences with universal emotions, playing into relatability for some listeners. All 10 songs have their own flow, but stay consistent with the overall energy. Each song adds a layer, and as you continue, the audience begins to hear a story come to life. 

The album begins with the song “Crushing,” which marks the beginning of learning to adjust to life after heartbreak. Sombr opens the song by talking about his past and how life used to be. While keeping the beat bright and cheery, he also mentions the experience of watching the other person move on. He ends the song by going back to the idea of the past and refers to similar ideas at the beginning of the song, making the song sound more flowy and easy to like.

The second song on the album is “12 to 12.” This song focuses on the idea of being unable to move on. Although the lyrics are more emotional, the upbeat rhythm lightens the mood, balancing the vulnerability of the lyrics. ”12 to 12” has been one of the songs to gain popularity since it was first released as a single. It has over 166 million streams on Spotify and the numbers are only continuing to increase. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have had an impact on the popularity of this song and Sombr’s music overall. 

The third song on the album is “i wish i knew how to quit you.” This song is directed towards moving on and the uncertainty of living without someone who was once so involved in your life. The lyrics are heavy and deep, similar to the others, but express everything with more intensity and vulnerability. 

The fourth song on the album is “back to friends.” Along with “12 to 12,” “back to friends” gained attention through TikTok and Instagram. This song reached number one on the Global Spotify chart on July 25, making it Sombr’s first number one hit, and it remains Sombr’s number one most popular song on Spotify. The song was first released as a single—where its popularity stemmed from—and when it was added to the album, its preexisting popularity led to more interest in the album. This song connects to the idea of memories, and how they can impact the process of moving on. He emphasizes how being close to someone and then having to go back to friends is a difficult part of having to move on. Here we can begin to see the album unfold into a story. He is going through the process of moving on and the album is showing the doubts and thoughts that come with that. 

The fifth song on the album is “canal street.” Where all of the songs show vulnerable signs of heartbreak, this song has a slower pace than the rest. He talks about walking down the same streets, seeing the same things, and only being able to remember his moments with his ex. This song is more heartfelt, continuing with the idea of heartache and the struggles of moving on.

The sixth song on the album is “dime.” This song focuses on his fear of being forgotten and his ex’s decision to move on and go overseas. The name “dime” also comes from a reference Sombr makes in the song. In the chorus of the song Sombr says “You’re a ten,” referring to the person he is singing about in the song. This small detail shows the admiration and effort made to make the song more authentic. The song continues the upbeat style, but maintains the emotional depth seen throughout the album.

The seventh song on the album is “undressed,” which was released as a single and then later put onto the album. ‘Undressed’ caught lots of attention from the media, having reached 530 million streams on Spotify. The song captures the experience of being left behind as others move on, and the pain that comes with it. Sombr directly refers to this when he talks about seeing others move on while he still suffers. This song is very vibrant and continues to be his second most popular song on Spotify. 

The eighth song on the album is “come closer.” The lyrics of this song are more focused on the person he is singing about. Mentioning specifics about their looks and past memories they have together. The tempo of this song is similar to other songs on the album, but it continues to have its own meaning, since it follows its own storyline.

The ninth song on the album is “we never dated.” The song’s lyrics talk about never getting the chance to reach their full potential in the relationship. After the chorus, he repeats “I can’t make you love me,” helping narrate the story in a way that is vulnerable and emotional.

The last song on the album is “under the mat.” This song compares the differences between him and his ex, but explains that despite their differences, they were able to connect on a deeper level. This song feels like it could be the end of a journey, which fits perfectly for being the last song on the album.

Overall, this album is full of complex and cinematic storytelling, which makes the album more creative and enjoyable. While the songs are all different in their own way, they all portray similar themes like heartbreak, struggle, vulnerability, and emotion. Though many albums were released this summer, making it harder to choose one as the album of the summer, this one is one that deserves recognition.