Sombr Shines on SNL with Dual Performances from Debut Album

Singer-songwriter Sombr made a memorable debut on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL), performing two tracks from his first album, I Barely Know Her, released in August 2023. The New York City native opened with “12 to 12,” a nominee for Song of the Summer at the MTV Video Music Awards. He later returned to the stage, this time at the piano, to present “Back to Friends,” a song he wrote and produced himself.

“Back to Friends” stands out as the lead single from Sombr’s ten-track LP and has garnered acclaim as one of Rolling Stone’s Best Songs of 2025 So Far. The publication describes the track as “an impassioned conversation that bleeds through the walls and captures the melodrama of teenage love.” Larisha Paul, writing for Rolling Stone, praised Sombr’s unique performance style, noting his “distinct internal confidence and external charm,” qualities that set him apart from many of his male contemporaries in pop music.

Sombr’s SNL appearance coincided with the conclusion of the North American leg of his The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour, which he sold out. Following his performances in the U.S., he plans to head to New Zealand and Australia next month, before embarking on a series of shows in Europe starting in February 2024.

The 20-year-old artist, whose real name is Shane Boose, expressed his astonishment at his rapid rise to fame. In an interview with MTV in September, he reflected on his experiences, saying, “It’s hard to step back and be like, ‘Wow, this is amazing’ when everything is happening so fast, but it is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He elaborated on the joy of connecting with new audiences, stating, “Being able to meet all these people, go to all these countries, and see all these new faces and beautiful people who connect with my music — it’s all I ever wanted to do in my life, so it’s the best thing ever.”

As Sombr continues to gain recognition, his future performances are highly anticipated by fans and critics alike.