Potential

Album: released as a single (2026)
Charted: 31 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On "Potential" Sombr looks back on a relationship that ended before it had the chance to become what he believed it could be. The song revolves around his feelings toward this past romance, which he regrets ended too soon, fixating on how much "potential" they had as a couple while hinting that the person it's about may not feel the same way. Across the track he spirals on the wordplay between "potential" and "mental," sounding less angry than trapped in a mental loop of replayed possibilities.
  • In the second verse, Sombr reveals that the breakup behind "Potential" also fueled the earlier songs that "got [him] famous," a nod to how much of his debut album, I Barely Know Her, drew on a single serious relationship. While this provides a bittersweet silver lining, acknowledging that his heartbreak served as the raw material for his professional breakthrough, Sombr makes it clear he isn't sure the fame was worth the loss. Consequently, "Potential" functions as a more serious, reflective sequel to the crushes and "situationships" explored on tracks like "Back To Friends" and "Undressed."
  • Sombr wrote the song himself and co-produced it with Tony Berg, the key architect of the sound of I Barely Know Her. Berg also plays guitar on the track. The other musicians are:

    Benny Bock: keyboards
    Gabe Noel: bass
    Harrison Whitford: guitar
    Kane Ritchotte: drums and percussion

    The track continues the now familiar Sombr "studio family": Gabe Noel, Kane Ritchotte and Benny Bock all played on I Barely Know Her.
  • Sombr unveiled "Potential" live at Coachella, premiering it during his April 11, 2026 set at the Empire Polo Club in Indio before releasing the studio version and video.
  • The music video, directed by Gus Black (who also directed the Western movie-set clip for "Homewrecker"), stars Sombr alongside influencer Madeline Argy and actor Gavin Casalegno, best known for playing Jeremiah Fisher in the Amazon Prime series The Summer I Turned Pretty, backed by a troupe of ballerinas. The storyline follows an increasingly tense, ultimately ill-fated museum heist, visually echoing the song's central idea of a planned connection that doesn't quite pay off.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.