Latest Posts

Boy Jr. – I Love Getting Dumped

November 29, 2024

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[...]

Tonight: Boy Jr.

February 1, 2020

Rochester based artful garage-pop act Boy Jr. headlines a deeply interesting indie bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. The brainchild of songwriter Erica Allen-Lubman treads the boundaries between angsty garage rock and full on glam pop. Lubman is also a captivating persona, and will definitely draw you into her performance. She’s really found her sound, which has definitely been refined through the years, and her last few singles “It’s Enough” and “Anyway” are definitely worth a listen. Also on the bill are indie stalwarts Hundred Plus Club. With enveloping textures reminiscent of Interpol or The Last Shadow Puppets, HPC makes instantly infectious and memorable music. Definitely bring your dancing shoes. Rounding out the bill are lo-fi rockers Dogs in Stereo and local sad boys west ferry. This looks to be another promising bill, and will definitely help you shake off the winter blues. 9pm Doors, $7 cover, 21+ unless accompanied by a[...]

Tonight: Boy Jr.

September 6, 2019

I don’t know about you, but to me this week feels like it crawled straight out of hell. The sun is shining, but the school buses clogging up Main St. are screaming, “Summer’s over!” We all need some good music to send the past few days whence they came. Luckily, Nietzsche’s is serving up the good stuff tonight. Boy Jr. is the musical brainchild of SUNY Purchase alum and current Rochestarian, Erica Allen-Lubman, a singer-songwriter with the know-how of a music school grad and the raw energy of a glam rocker. Her discography is a venture from soulful garage rock into sassy, glittery, guitar-driven pop, with one common, indispensable element – that voice. Allen-Lubman’s powerful vocals, cutting lyrics, and fun costumes combine to make Boy Jr. a meditation in self-expression – that is, if you can meditate and dance at the same time. Also on deck is Fredonia psych rock[...]

Tonight: Boy Jr.

December 16, 2018

Rochester originated indie artist Boy Jr. celebrates a new single release this weekend tonight at Milkie’s! in 2015 Erica Allen-Lubman equipped with musical talent, a computer, and a dream, combined the three to release an expressive EP titled No Hard Feelings with the help of Delaney Hafener and Chris Ozone.Since then, Allen-Lubman under the name Boy Jr. has released Some Tunes, Some More Tunes, and “It’s Enough,” each a new development on the artist’s sound, as well as a deeper look into her mind. By far “It’s Enough” is my favorite Boy Jr. release so far. It’s a hard-hitting track that showcases the culmination of three years’ worth of tweaking and development by Boy Jr., proving that she can rock as hard as the full-set bands that perform. Watching a promo video posted to the Boy Jr. Facebook page is reminiscent of watching a young Amy Winehouse perform in the[...]

Boy Jr. – “50 mg”

January 22, 2018

Breaking in the exuberant new track “50 mg” with a nifty bassline, the Rochester-based project Boy Jr., which finds music conservatory-studying collegiate Erica Allen at the helm, adopts a punk-type verve while keeping things light and easy on anyone’s ears. The fast pace is matched with a delicate guitar presence and crooning vocals fir for tackling the Great American Songbook. Everything remains playful but cool at the same time, such as in extemporaneous-sounding lines like “another round, please.” Such a mold was carved out by The Strokes in their prime, and Boy Jr. certainly nails it here on this fresh offering. The recent two-song effort from Boy Jr. titled Some More Tunes (a continuation of December’s Some Tunes) is available through bandcamp. Some More Tunes by Boy Jr.

Boy Jr. – No Hard Feelings

February 2, 2016

No Hard Feelings is the debut EP from Boy Jr., musical brainchild of SUNY Purchase student Erica Allen-Lubman. Released just days before Christmas, Boy Jr.’s first effort is a solid collection of tunes. Written, performed, produced and recorded almost completely by herself, these five tracks are a fine sampling of DIY garage-rock from the Rochester based songwriter. Throughout, she employs a very lo-fi aproach, but the music never feels sloppy. It offers the right amount of minimal production you want from a garage-rocker, without sounding amateurish. Ms. Allen-Lubman sings loose, but never pitchy, with an alto-range voice and a vocal tone that has a feeling of carefree weightlessness. There is a touch of bright pop to it, just enough to supply a handful of rather catchy melodies and riffs. This is clear on the track “The Killers,” especially when the repeated eighth-note piano chords begin. But she never forgets the[...]