BOY JR., the boundary-pushing songwriting and production project of Ariel Allen-Lubman (they/them), continues to redefine independent artistry with their latest single, “Zitty Stardust.” This electrifying electro-pop banger follows the success of their October 2024 album, I Love Getting Dumped!—a high-energy, emotionally charged journey through heartbreak, humor, and self-discovery.
Blending electronic, pop, indie, and punk, BOY JR. has captivated both mainstream and underground audiences, earning praise from Galore, which called their album “captivating”, and Earmilk, which described their music as “electrifying.” As a DIY powerhouse, they’ve headlined grassroots tours across the U.S. and shared stages with The Living Tombstone, Lovejoy, KOPPS, Jhariah, Vial, and Jer. Beyond music, Ariel has become an influential voice for young queer people, using their platform to advocate for self-expression in the face of cultural and political resistance.
Their new single, “Zitty Stardust,” is an unapologetically joyful exploration of their transition journey and gender euphoria. Inspired by their experience with testosterone, BOY JR. transformed a mean online comment into an anthem of self-empowerment. “Last year, when I was a few months into taking testosterone, I started getting a lot of acne and mean comments about it. One just said ‘Zitty Stardust.’ And that immediately stuck in my mind as a potential song title. Like, sorry, I know you really wanted to insult me, but that’s actually really iconic and cool. Later, I was working on this song about the gender euphoria I was feeling, using my testosterone supplies to create the percussion. When I remembered that comment, I knew it had to be the title.”
With fearless creativity, raw authenticity, and genre-bending production, BOY JR. continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to be an independent artist.