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Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece
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February 23, 2023
HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.
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February 21, 2023
Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe
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February 21, 2023
Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...
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February 20, 2023
Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im
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February 23, 2023
Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s
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February 18, 2023
Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has
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February 17, 2023
What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the
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February 14, 2023
The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close
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February 14, 2023
What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...
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February 8, 2023
Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.
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February 8, 2023
“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are
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Introducing Sombr, an indie-pop musician whose hit song "Back to Friends" is encapsulating the spirit of Generation Z and beyond. The song was first released on December 27, 2024, however it has since become one of the 2025 breakout hits after going viral on TikTok.
What’s Sparking the Buzz?
The nostalgic indie-pop song by Sombr went viral on TikTok, driving streaming through the roof.
Chart success: The song peaked at number one on the alternative airplay charts and made it into the Billboard Hot 100.
Vibe & Aesthetic: The song has become a favorite among TikTok content creators due to its reflective lyrics and emotionally powerful delivery.
The Reasons Behind Gen Z's Engagement
Authenticity and emotional depth appeal to Gen Z more than flawless perfection. "Back to Friends" perfectly captures the contemplative, genuine, and emotionally expressive nature of Generation Z. For a generation that appreciates unadulterated storytelling and artistic closeness, the song's indie-lo-fi nostalgia is ideal.
How Up-and-Coming Artists Can Gain Knowledge from Sombr
Embrace genuine emotion: On social networks, vulnerability prevails. Heartfelt, unpolished songwriting has a stronger resonance than flawlessly produced music.
Create with TikTok in mind: Keep an eye on trends that evoke strong feelings, such as mood-driven material, narrative forms, or lyric montage.
Bridge nostalgia and modernity: To create a timeless appeal, blend vintage aesthetics with modern production.
Remain constant after going viral: Stories that continue to be told after a single song becomes popular garner long-term interest.