Watch sombr Cover Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’

Both sombr and Olivia Dean are currently nominated for the Grammy Award in the prestigious Best New Artist category, which will be presented on Sunday (February 1) at the 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony. The two musically came together when sombr recently covered Dean’s song, “Man I Need,” for Australian public service radio station triple j’s “Like A Version” series.

“I chose ‘Man I Need’ because it’s one of my favorite songs of the last year,” sombr told triple j. “Olivia Dean is a really inspiring and incredible artist. I’m just a huge fan of her. It feels so timeless, and I love the production, I love the lyrics, everything about it. Amazing.”

“Man I Need” appeared on Dean’s well-received sophomore album, The Art Of Loving, which the British singer-songwriter released last fall.

Along with the cover, sombr’s “Like A Version” session saw the 20-year-old New York City native perform the song “12 To 12” from his acclaimed 2025 debut album, I Barely Know Her.

“‘12 to 12’ actually started as a joke,” sombr revealed. “I was working one night and after I tried a few ideas that weren’t really working I think as a joke, I put together like a four on the floor disco beat and started just like saying shit over it. It was very cocky, the lyrics, but it just was really good. So I decided to finish it and I’m really glad I did. Because now ‘12 To 12’ is one of my biggest songs and one of my favorites… I’m so glad I could make it happen.”

Tap below to watch sombr cover Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” and he and his band performing “12 To 12” for “Like A Version.”