Shane Boose, better known as Sombr Bryce Glenn/Warner Records Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment For a 20-year-old phenom whose ascent to pop-rock stardom began with a viral TikTok song in the 2020s, there's something surprisingly old-school about Sombr. The New York-born act - whose real name is Shane Boose - writes his music all on his own, a rarity in a modern pop landscape that usually involves a hit-making machine of co-writers and producers, especially for new acts. He rattles off the likes of Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Bon Iver as some of his biggest influences. Meanwhile, his debut album I Barely Know Her weaves between Strokes-esque indie rock and Beach Boys-style harmonies. Related Stories Music Running for Cover(s): A Look at the Grammys' Newest Category Music Grammys 2026: The Race for Best New Artist With standout hits "Back To Friends" and "Undressed" - the former of which still sits at number two on Spotify's global chart this week and is nearing 900 million streams - Sombr's meteoric rise has placed him among the strongest contenders for best new artist for the 2026 Grammys, all while sparking some debate online as to how his music can be categorized. Sombr doesn't seem to care as much about that latter bit. "I make what I want to make, and it just comes out how it comes out," he tells THR. "There are people who call rock and there are people who call pop. I'll accept whatever that is, but I won't call it anything. It's just Sombr for me." Sombr's career kickstarted three years ago when he was a 16-year-old LaGuardia High School student, after his first song "Caroline" went viral practically overnight. Record labels came calling soon after, and Warner Records won out to sign him. The label's co-chairman and CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck called hearing Sombr for the first time "one of the rare instances where after hearing only one song, you instinctively know you've heard an artist who is going to be important." "Three years later, Sombr has exceeded all expectations," Bay-Schuck says. "His ability to be agile and respond to the whims and desires of his fanbase is remarkable. He's taught us the power of informed and organized chaos. He's forced us to behave differently than labels traditionally do. He's challenged us. But that's resulted in the coronation of what is undeniably going to be one of the next truly special artists of a generation." Speaking with THR just after his album came out, Sombr opened up about his new-found fame, writing in solitude and writing vulnerable songs for an audience of millions. I wanted to start with writing. It's rare an artist writes alone like you these days. Did your team try getting you sessions with others? Definitely. When I was first signed, my label was like, "We want to just see what happens when we pair you with a couple other people." They tried a couple times, but every time I got in a room with someone else, I couldn't be my most vulnerable self. I see how it could work for a lot of people, but for me, I thrive in isolation because all of my work is so personal. I can't have anyone hear it until it's complete. Does having millions of people listening to your art change how vulnerable you can be? I have a really interesting relationship with writing. It's definitely something that I do for me, even though it's my job. I have no other choice, I need to do it as a therapeutic outlet. It's always going to be super personal - if I did anything else, it wouldn't be authentic. You worked close with producer Tony Berg very closely on the album. I know you've called him a mentor, how did that come together? My A&R Chris Morris introduced us when I signed to Warner and we instantly clicked. It was hard at first, it was my first time in a studio. The song that got me signed I wrote and produced myself. It was a big learning curve, Tony and I definitely had our back and forths, but we instantly knew we were like brothers, I've worked with him ever since and I'll never work with anyone again. When did it start to gel? How long did it take to trust him in the room? I trusted him right away. The first time we met, it wasn't even a session. We were kicking it, there was just something about his energy. I'm big on reading people, and his energy felt so welcoming and like we just knew each other. If you were to describe I Barely Know her with a couple emotions, what would they be? Longing or yearning. The album's out, you're touring. Can you give yourself a writing break? I'm already so deep into it again. I can't help it. I have to. I still have the muse in me. I did a few days in New York for my release show. I forced myself not to write, and I was suffering every day. What's your muse these days? When does it strike? It's usually in the evening, but any time. I'm a very emotional person. It's j