Unsent Letters: Boy Jr. Delivers Bold Confrontation in ‘I Hope You Feel Terrible’
We’re excited to share the latest from Boy Jr., the enigmatic indie pop-rock project led by Ariel Allen-Lubman, with their newest single, “I Hope You Feel Terrible.” This track is a raw and cathartic anthem, akin to the unsent letter you compose in your darkest moments. Boy Jr. crafts this song for anyone who’s ever dreamed of a movie-like showdown with a past adversary—delivering that perfect, scathing one-liner to cap off a confrontation. Wrapped in Boy Jr.’s signature blend of quirky, experimental indie pop, “I Hope You Feel Terrible” sets the stage for their upcoming album, I Love Getting Dumped. Join us as we dive into the artistry and emotional honesty that define Boy Jr.’s music, exploring how Ariel Allen-Lubman uses their platform to intertwine personal expression with broader themes of identity and resilience.
Follow Boy Jr. @boyjrofficial
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a nonbinary artist, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer based in upstate New York. I love exploring self expression and experimentation through sound and writing.
Describe your sound in three words.
Expressive, Fun, Energetic.
Who influenced you, and why did you choose to make music?
My mom. She always encouraged me to write my feelings into songs.
Tell us about your new single, “I Hope You Feel Terrible?” What’s the story behind the song?
You know how people will tell you to write a letter you’ll never send when you’re upset with someone? “I Hope You Feel Terrible” is like the letter I wasn’t supposed to send. It is for everyone who wishes they could have a romcom-like confrontation with someone who hurt them and tell them exactly how they really feel, with the perfect closing one liner and everything.
Can you walk us through your creative process for this single? How did the idea come to life?
The song started as a vocal and electric guitar arrangement. Sometimes I produce while I write, sometimes I just write. This was one where I just wrote the whole thing first, then started to get the track into the Logic Pro session. Guitar and bass choices were obvious. The drum sound took the longest to lock in. Circle has a great sample collection of 2003-era pop punk and that’s what glued it all together.
Were there any specific experiences or emotions that fueled the writing and composition of this song?
Yes. Bitterness.
How do you usually start working on a new song? Do you begin with lyrics, melodies, or a concept?
All of the above. This one was a concept first, then lyrics and melody situation. I knew it had to be a pop punky sort of indie rock track. The emotional sentiment lent itself so well to that direction.
How involved were you in the production and arrangement of “I Hope You Feel Terrible?”
Very involved, it’s all me.
Now tell us about your full length DIY album, “I Love Getting Dumped?”
I Love Getting Dumped is a collection of breakup songs from relationships spanning around 2020 – 2024. It’s stylistically pretty eclectic with a lot of alternative pop, electronic, and indie rock influences. I’m extremely excited for people to hear this work.
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
You WILL get the hang of it. You will be able to make the abstract ideas you’re grasping for inside into a reality. Keep practicing. Also get your retainer fixed, your teeth are gonna get crooked again.
How would your best friend describe you?
A bunch of shapes and colors
If you were a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
honestly probably also A Bunch Of Shapes and Colors. I like eclecticism and feel very strongly about being and doing a lot of different things. As an artist and as a person.
What’s next for Boy Jr in 2024?
Opening for VIAL this week (4/21-4/28), more singles and the album! Maybe some more tour dates of my own!
How would you explain your fashion style?
Whatever gives me dopamine
What is your own definition of happiness?
I love this question btw. Being connected to and noticing lots of little things. My family. Making music. Cats.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could meet anyone living it would be Robert Evans because I listen to Behind The Bastards constantly even to fall asleep and now his voice is in my dreams.
If I could meet anyone dead it would be my grand father because I never got to meet him and he was also a bit of renaissance artist and I think we’d have a lot to talk about.
What would be your dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Toyko with my fam.
Best advice ever given?
When the song is actually out, nobody’s gonna know what you actually did in the mixing and mastering session to make it sound the way it does. Break rules.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years?
Hopefully more of this, just with like. more stability i hope haha
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or for karaoke?
Teenagers by My Chemical Romance.
Where can we follow you?
@boyjrofficial on Instagram and Threads
@boyjr.69 on TikTok
@boyjrmusic on X
Boy Jr. on Spotify, Youtube, Facebook, Patreon, and all streaming platforms
Book: the Murderbot series
Quote: “meow meow meow meow meow” my cat
Movie: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Tv Series: Mob Psycho 100
Favorite Food: sushi
Travel Destination: Brooklyn
Sports Team: Rochester Americans