Sombr Gives Their Take on Olivia Dean’s Hottest 100 Hit ‘Man I Need’ for Triple J’s Like a Version
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Sombr has released a unique rendition of Olivia Dean’s Hottest 100-winning song “Man I Need.” This indie-inflected cover was performed for triple j’s esteemed Like a Version series.
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The 20-year-old artist performed the track in-studio with his band just a week after entering the Top 10 of Australia’s annual Hottest 100 countdown himself. Sombr praised Dean as “a really inspiring and incredible artist,” noting that the song resonated with him immediately.
“It feels so timeless and I love the production, I love the lyrics,” he expressed. “Everything about it. Amazing.”
Originally released by Dean in 2024, “Man I Need” was hailed as the No. 1 song in triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2025, becoming one of the year’s most notable victories. Sombr’s version emotionally strips back the song while transforming its sound, layering distorted vocals and an energetic indie-rock beat over the original melody.
This performance marks Sombr’s debut on the Like a Version platform, coinciding with a breakout phase for the New York-based artist. Known for his blend of alt-pop and indie rock, Sombr has quickly gained traction through a series of globally resonant releases.
In 2025, he released his debut studio album I Barely Know Her, a 10-track project co-produced with Tony Berg that delved into themes of heartbreak, longing, and life in New York City. The album features some of his most popular tracks, including “Back to Friends,” a breakout global hit that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, “Undressed,” which topped charts in multiple countries, and “12 to 12,” which finished at No. 8 in the Hottest 100.
Sombr’s rising profile has also been recognized in the awards circuit, with nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Best Alternative, alongside a growing list of high-profile live performances.
