Sombr is 2025’s sultry alt-pop star. Can he join the rock greats too?

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Last August, 20-year-old Shane Boose, who performs as Sombr, celebrated his new album with a party at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood. Although Sombr’s debut album, “I Barely Know Her,” wasn’t officially released for a few more days, he was already thinking about how well it would do, even while enjoying the party under the twinkling lights.

“Check out the new album!” said Boose, who is tall and has striking cheekbones, addressing a large group of young, stylish influencers and people in business attire. “I really need to earn back the money I was given in advance.”

He really didn’t need to worry. After performing “12 to 12,” Sombr’s stylish and funky disco song, Boose jumped into the hotel’s bright blue pool. His band quickly followed, all of them cooling off after a night of excitement as the country’s up-and-coming rock sensation.

While it wasn’t as wild as some legendary Chateau incidents – like Billy Idol’s notorious room trashing – the recent behavior definitely brought back memories of the hotel’s famously rowdy past. It felt like a young band letting loose and enjoying their success at L.A.’s most infamous party spot.

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Boose explained that he’d just arrived back from Japan and was incredibly tired. Speaking from Nashville via Zoom a month later, after a tour rehearsal, he described the poolside moment as a complete surprise. He hadn’t realized his band would join him, and it was a rare instance where he wasn’t preoccupied with the pressures of his career. He simply felt like he was finally relaxing and enjoying life.

Sombr is an unusual and promising rock band gaining popularity in 2025. They blend sophisticated indie rock with clever lyrics and genuine emotion, and are quickly climbing the music charts, much like a viral TikTok sensation. They’re playing a series of shows in Los Angeles soon, which will preview a larger performance at Coachella next year, and the band is already facing both excitement and high expectations.

It’s definitely been a little overwhelming,” Boose admitted. “I never imagined I’d have a hit song. I was just making the kind of alternative rock I love, and it evolved from there. I really try to avoid being online and stay focused on the music itself. I don’t want outside opinions or public attention to influence my creative process.”

After rehearsal, Boose was still trying to grasp just how big the upcoming tour would be, including two shows (October 28th and 29th) at the 5,000-person Shrine Expo Hall, plus an extra show at the Fonda Theatre in early November – impressive numbers for any artist. He’s known for his sharp wit online and on stage, often playfully poking fun at the trends and stereotypes of his generation, particularly the image of sensitive, trendy young men. He even showcased his style and flair with a confident, Bowie-inspired look at the MTV Video Music Awards.

He explained that he actually plays better in front of larger audiences. He finds smaller venues, holding around 300 to 500 people, particularly nerve-wracking because you can easily see everyone’s reactions. Surprisingly, he feels *less* nervous when there are more people present.

Sombr seems destined to become a major rock star for Gen Z in 2025. Born and raised in New York City’s Lower East Side, he grew up with parents who worked in event planning and public relations, even collaborating with organizations like Elton John’s AIDS Foundation and amfAR. He briefly attended LaGuardia High School—the same school as Timothée Chalamet and Nicki Minaj—but left to pursue music full-time when his single, “Caroline,” began gaining popularity as a teenager.

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Boose had the natural talent and striking looks to become a star in some capacity. However, his music – even his earliest recordings – shows a refined, artistic quality and a wistful, slightly rebellious vibe, reminiscent of the influential singers he grew up around, especially those from bands like the Strokes and artists like Jeff Buckley.

Boose said they were deeply moved by the documentary ‘It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,’ and it made them cry. ‘Grace’ is their all-time favorite album, but they were surprised Buckley didn’t have larger audiences during his lifetime. It feels like his popularity has grown since his death. Boose added that they’ve never cried while watching a movie before, but this one brought them to tears.

Sombr’s music feels timeless and could have become popular in any generation. It just so happened to connect with millions of young people on TikTok, particularly through the visually striking video for “Weak,” where he appears lost in thought while filming from the back of a car during the golden hour in Los Angeles.

Warner Records signed him in 2023 because of his blend of captivating pop energy and genuinely moving songwriting. But is this project a hazy, distorted indie-rock sound with a dreamy quality? Or is Boose an up-and-coming pop artist who’s more passionate about perfecting his guitar effects?

Chris Morris, a senior executive at Warner Records, believes Shane is exceptionally talented. He doesn’t compare Shane to other artists, focusing instead on the originality of his work. While Shane is inspired by other musicians, his music feels completely personal and distinct. Morris hopes Shane’s music will resonate with listeners as powerfully as landmark albums like ‘Grace’ or ‘Is This It’ did with their audiences.

With Warner’s guidance, he collaborated with producer Tony Berg, known for his work with artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Boygenius, to develop his sound while navigating the exciting, yet challenging, music scene of a rising star.

Boose explained that he moved to Los Angeles immediately after turning 18 when he signed a record deal. However, he admits he spent more time socializing than working on his music. ‘I realized I was heading down the wrong path,’ he said. ‘Something shifted, and I decided to prioritize music completely, even though my friends were still going out.’

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His dedication to his craft resulted in successful singles like “Back to Friends” and “Undressed.” These songs, released in the winter and spring, immediately stood out due to their catchy melodies and emotional depth. “Back to Friends” is a slow, piano-driven song about the awkward space after a casual encounter, and it’s surprisingly memorable, featuring powerful high notes. “Undressed” is a tender yet heartbreaking song; the chorus expresses a reluctance to become intimate with someone new, and the bridge reveals a deeply mature and poignant confession – a fear that a new partner’s children will remind him of a past love he can’t let go of.

As a lifelong movie and music fan, I’ve noticed something’s missing in a lot of today’s pop. It feels like people are really craving music that’s made with actual instruments, recorded in a proper studio, and follows a classic song structure – you know, with a clear intro, verses, chorus, a build-up section, and a genuine bridge. Those are the elements that made so many songs timeless, and honestly, they’re just not as common now.

I was honestly so relieved to get a second success quickly! After the first one, I kept worrying it was just a fluke. But when the second one landed a few months later, I finally started to relax. I remember thinking, ‘Okay, I’m not a one-hit wonder,’ and I was laughing with relief because that was a huge fear of mine!

He quickly became nationally known. According to Sean Stevens, a Warner A&R executive, his first TV appearance on Jimmy Fallon was particularly memorable. “Performing live on national television for the first time can be daunting, but he absolutely nailed it,” Stevens said. “We – his family, team, and people from the label – were all watching from the side, and it felt like witnessing the birth of a superstar. Everyone was thrilled, and we knew he was prepared for anything.”

The songs “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” reached numbers 22 and 16 on the charts, respectively. This success helped their album, “I Barely Know Her,” debut at number 10. Sombr has managed something impressive: they’ve brought a new and honest expression of young male desire to indie rock, and surprisingly, achieved mainstream pop success with it – a feat many didn’t think possible for a band labeled as lacking passion.

Even on lesser-known tracks, the album shows influences from artists like Bonnie Raitt and Frank O’Hara. For example, “We Never Dated” echoes Raitt’s emotional vulnerability, while “Canal Street” captures a poetic, nostalgic feeling. Even the most straightforward pop song, “12 to 12,” has a unique, crafted sound reminiscent of Daft Punk or David Bowie. Social media star Addison Rae appeared in the song’s music video, but the song feels like it will be a classic wedding dance choice for years to come.

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Boose expressed his admiration for Addison, calling her “amazing.” He explained that collaborating with her highlighted how lucky he feels to work with incredibly talented people and create lasting art together, often in just a weekend.

Both artists are scheduled to perform on Saturday at Coachella next year, and they’re both relatively early in the lineup. Boose shared that he’s never been to Coachella before, calling it one of the music festivals he most wants to experience – in fact, the only festival he’s attended was one in Japan. He expressed excitement about being a 20-year-old musician from New York, and having his name listed alongside well-known acts like The Strokes, Interpol, and David Byrne at such a major festival.

Honestly, even though I’m a big fan, it’s still wild to see how much attention Boose is getting. It’s not just regular recognition, it’s that constant, ‘everyone’s watching’ level of fame, and he’s still adjusting. I’ve heard he really stands out even just walking around L.A. – people assume he’s a celebrity even *without* knowing who he is, especially if he’s at a place like Erewhon. He jokes about his public image online, which is great, but he’s also said that this whole modern fame thing is genuinely stressful and can mess with his creativity and just being a normal person.

Boose shared that he’s still getting used to fame. While he appreciates the positive aspects of being in the public eye, it’s also been incredibly challenging. He said his toughest moments over the last six to eight months have come from the intense scrutiny, though he acknowledges how fortunate he is overall. He’s working through it, recognizing that this difficulty is a small downside compared to all the good things happening in his life.

Everyone reacts to this situation in their own way, and it’s constantly evolving. It’s impossible to fully understand how it will affect someone until it’s actually happening. What I can say is that Shane is very mature for his age and has a strong network of support. He’s fortunate to have a loving family, a dedicated team, and a record label that prioritizes his health and happiness just as much as his career.

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Boose is coping with the pressures of sudden fame by focusing on writing his second album. He’s converted his tour bus into a recording studio, allowing him to capture this new chapter of his life while on the road. Performing his early hits, like “Caroline,” feels distant now, as if those experiences happened to someone else, even though it wasn’t long ago.

Boose explained that some of his older songs aren’t his favorites, not because he didn’t try hard at the time, but because he wrote them when he was only 16. He feels his current music captures that same energy, but much more intensely.

He admitted he didn’t quite understand why things were going so well, jokingly noting that his current perspective was looking up from the Chateau’s pool. He simply said, ‘It feels like all my dreams are finally coming true, and it’s a good feeling.’

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2025-10-16 13:34