Indie-pop songwriter and viral TikTok 19-year-old Sombr took the leap into the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge this past week with a stirring cover of “Ribs.” Lorde’s 2013 Pure Heroine version is defined by its ethereal, breathy falsetto that weaves between innocence and melancholy. By contrast, Sombr’s vocals are more plain and grounded, coming across with more clarity and warmth. His approach softens the dramatic crescendo, adding to the reflective and nostalgic tones, creating a feeling similar to the end of a coming-of-age movie.
“Ribs” was always a fan favorite that didn’t reach mainstream success. Billboard named it the 17th best pop song to never hit the Hot 100. But last month, fans recorded a sing-along to the song in Washington Square Park before a Lorde meet-up where she filmed the music video for her single “What Was That.” Billboard is going to have to revise its list because, after that event, “Ribs” finally hit the charts, 12 years after its release.
The cover song feels at home with Sombr’s other music, to the point that someone could be fooled into thinking he wrote the song. The lyrics blend well with his almost country-tinged vocal delivery, lending the track to a rawer, more grounded interpretation. The chorus picks up to be more alternative than Lorde’s sound, but the transition is so seamless, it’s difficult not to sing along the entire way. Sombr’s “Ribs” cover arrives at a perfect time, positioning him as a thoughtful artist in the cover‐song world, during a period of reignited interest in Lorde.
Read about a recent cover of “Royals” by Dua Lipa.
