Sombr Steps Into the Spotlight: Queer-Affirming Debut Album “I Barely Know Her” Arrives This Month

Sombr, the New York–raised, Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, and producer born Shane Michael Boose, has announced his debut album “I Barely Know Her” for release on August 22, 2025, marking a pivotal moment after a breakout year of viral singles and first-time chart entries.

The album reveal follows a cascade of momentum: in 2025, Sombr’s tracks “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” surged on TikTok, pushing the artist from emerging status to mainstream visibility and securing placements on multiple record charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. In July, “Back to Friends” reached number one on both the United States and Global Spotify Daily Charts and topped the Global Weekly Chart for the week ending July 10, signaling broad international traction beyond social media.

Born in New York City and raised on the Lower East Side, Sombr attended LaGuardia High School as a vocal major before leaving school at 17 to pursue music full-time, a decision he has discussed publicly alongside the early impact of his song “Caroline.” He later relocated to Los Angeles, continuing to build his catalog and audience while refining a sound described as indie rock and alternative pop.

The artist’s early career includes a self-built production path and formal classical voice training—skills that shape his melodic sensibilities and emotive delivery. As detailed in label materials, Sombr began recording from a bedroom setup and launched an imprint while still in high school, as the single “Caroline” crossed a million listens in its first week. In interviews, he has credited that period with sharpening both craft and confidence after discovering songwriting as an outlet during a turbulent adolescence.

The new full-length arrives after a series of 2025 singles that built anticipation. On June 17, Sombr announced “We Never Dated,” released June 20; later in July he shared “12 to 12” with a video cameo from Addison Rae. Both singles reached the top 20 in the United Kingdom and Ireland and entered the Billboard Global 200, strengthening his foothold in key international markets.

Sombr’s social-first momentum has been central to his breakthrough. The artist’s TikTok virality for “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” converted into sustained streaming gains—an increasingly common pipeline—but the subsequent chart performance suggests staying power that extends beyond short-form platforms. That trajectory mirrors a cohort of Gen Z creators leveraging DIY production backgrounds, classical or formal training, and platform fluency to challenge traditional industry gatekeeping while speaking to fans in direct and personal ways.

As release day approaches, the central questions are artistic cohesion and longevity: can “I Barely Know Her” synthesize Sombr’s indie-rock and alt-pop sensibilities into a debut that stands apart from algorithm-driven hits, and will its storytelling deepen the bond with fans who have embraced his openness and craft? The year’s milestones—TikTok virality, Spotify chart peaks, and early international chart entries—suggest a debut positioned for substantial visibility across streaming and social platforms, with potential resonance for LGBTQ+ listeners who prize narrative intimacy and genre fluidity.