sombr, Potential → Song Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Grammy-nominated pop singer-songwriter sombr returns with an enjoyable, groovy, perhaps too ornate, heartbroken single, “Potential.”

“It was a difficult breakup / But I wrote some songs that got me famous.”Uh-oh… matters of the heart, rather, heartbreak, are in the air… Grammy-nominated pop singer-songwriter sombr (Shane Michael Boose) has been grinding hard early on in his career.  His debut album, I Barely Know Her, yielded some bops and legitimate hits. Post-I Barely Know Her, Boose first dropped “Homewrecker”, following up with “Potential”. “Potential” showcases Shane’s talent, though it doesn’t hit like gems from I Barely Know Her.  He wrote “Potential,” and he produced it with Tony Berg.

As usual, there is a boatload of potential in “Potential,” and sombr, himself.  First and foremost, Sombr sings beautifully. His voice is adorned with what could be dubbed his signature, effects-heavy vocal production. It works for him all in all. The music accompaniment is ornate, rich with vibrant sounds. The groove grooves hard, serving as a perfect catalyst to move the body – get up and dance!  Is it too much? Perhaps – a lot is going on.  But you can’t knock the prevalence of rhythm and ideas.  If nothing else, sombr keeps things engaging, whether it’s his powerful voice, tuneful melodies, or the relentless backdrop.  There’s even a vocoder during the refrain (“We had potential, it makes me mental”)! The form is easy to follow, with verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and a few deviations with a refrain, distinguishing bridge, and the outro. So, what potential is Shane referencing? The potential of a relationship, which is kaput. He says it best in the centerpiece, the chorus:

“We had potential, makes me mental not havin’ you, oh

And it drives me crazy that my baby

Thinks we’re through so soon, yeah.”

Word.  All told, sombr is one talented fella.  “Potential” marks another enjoyable, well-rounded single.  Perhaps it’s not the top of his output so far (It’s no “12 to 12”), and maybe it’s too much, but I still like the… potential.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½