Calling all music enjoyers to join him on the dance floor with a contagious beat, sombr—the breakout project of singer-songwriter Shane Boose—has revived the catchy, upbeat quality of 70s disco music in new single “12 to 12.” For those who know sombr for his slower, ballad-like songs, this single introduces a new side of the exploratory singer, proving his versatile talent and admirable choice to expand outside his comfort zone.
sombr has been a household name in the indie/pop world for his breakout success with hits “back to friends”—which placed No.1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart—and “undressed.” With his fresh collection of heartbreak anthems, sombr is set to hit the road on his US headlining tour at the end of September, after making stops in Dublin, London, Amsterdam and Cologne, followed by a European leg in early 2026.
Having admiration for someone you can’t quite lock eyes with comes with uncertainty, confusion and questioning. If they aren’t showing up for you, should you keep searching for a love that isn’t there? Taking matters into his own hands, sombr questions if his desire of not wanting “anyone else from the hours of 12 to 12” is reciprocated or just one-sided: “In a room of people I look for you / Would you avoid me or would you look for me too? / Tell me is our story through / Or do our hearts still beat in tune?”
sombr’s search eventually is rewarded, but at a price: “If I’d known that it would happen this way / I’d never look at you in the first place.” Although it seems like the chase got him what he wanted, he questions his initial motives and wishes. The pre-chorus, “Was it in your plan to leave eventually? / Because to me, there’s no one else that could make sense to me / The last and final puzzle piece,” encapsulates the heartbreak of a one-sided love that leaves you with intense feelings and circling questions about your own worth. He continues: “Maybe in another world / I won’t feel so unlovable.”
Alongside the single, sombr worked with director Gus Black to bring the intensity of the story to life. The music video features rising pop singer Addison Rae, who dances carelessly and freely while sombr tries looking for her. Although the dance floor is crowded, sombr only has eyes for her, but it isn’t until the end that Rae breaks from dancing to meet his eyes. They each seem to be in their own worlds upon meeting, making the audience wonder if their worlds were meant to collide.
Keep up with sombr: Spotify // Instagram // TikTok // YouTube
