Boy Jr. – I Love Getting Dumped


Boy Jr. is back in a big way with their new record I Love Getting Dumped. A collection of 13 breakup songs, frontperson Ariel Allen-Lubman (they/them) commands your attention as strongly as ever with their trademark genrefluid style. They speak to us on a heartfelt level, connecting with us in a nostalgic, at times comical way that speaks to anyone who has ever dealt with the death of a relationship.

 

The album opens with the haunting “Your Mom Is Disappointed In You.” The vocals are delivered so earnestly, you can feel the pain in their voice, expertly underscored with sparse electronics.  “I Hope You Feel Terrible” is truly a standout, easily drawing parallels with “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo, or contemporaries like Kim Petras or Billie Eilish. Allen-Lubman sets the scene with a fuzzy, bouncing riff that really lets the vocals shine. Slowly building the texture, by the time the second chorus hits, the rawness of the lyrics is powered by the full-band entrance that hits like a freight train. Other standouts including the reflective, groove-based “Bullying Myself,” and angular earworm “Still Be Friends.”

 

One of the most impressive aspects of this record is that it doesn’t just get lost in itself – each track feels very connected, even though they’re strong enough to stand on their own. It’s a sonic representation of looking at a painting, with each track describing it from a different angle. The production on this album is also exquisite, showcasing so many different moods without feeling disjunct. Boy Jr. has always been a champion of how an artist can self-record effectively, and I Love Getting Dumped! is some of their strongest production work to date. There are devastatingly delicate moments that allow the vocals to shine, balanced by explosive driving synth-heavy bops that compel you to move. It almost recalls the production of frequent collaborator Medusa.

 

Overall I Love Getting Dumped feels like a big step forward for Boy Jr. They’re a force to be reckoned with in the WNY DIY scene, and as a sophomore record, they’ve focused their writing and production to produce a stylistically diverse sound that will energize longtime fans and showcase their capacity to write compelling songs that speak to some of the hardest moments of our lives. You can find I Love Getting Dumped! on Spotify or Apple Music. Check it out via the streaming link below.

 

 

Categorised in: Album Reviews, New Music, Rochester

This post was written by John Smigielski

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