Boy Jr.'s 'Meet Me In The Middle' is an infectiously jagged electro-rock anthem for jilted lovers

Photo by Krit Upra

Recklessly combining decades of garage, pop, and electro stylings into a hypercompressed blitzkrieg of 100% pure uncut attitude, Boy Jr. launches an all-out assault against shitty ex's with the wickedly infectious "Meet Me In The Middle."

The latest single off their recent LP, Pay Attention To Meeee, Boy Jr. unabashedly embraces the kind of raw and unfiltered low-brow hedonism that defined the early 00's indie sleaze moment combined with zeitgeist pop currently dominating the cultural landscape; think Peaches by way of Billie Eilish's nastier tendencies with a tiny dash of Sleigh Bells' varsity-grade bravado. "Meet Me In The Middle" is comprised of sparse electro beats that comingle with harmonized vocals, flowing like delicately dangerous currents around jagged rocks, gradually picking up speed before crashing headlong over a waterfall hook, raging and seething with tumultuous fury sliced clean through by angular guitar riffs. It's sugar and spice and everything nice, but unmistakably muscular in the track's powerfully confident delivery that positions "Meet Me In The Middle" as a playlist-breaking banger begging to be hit on repeat.

"Meet Me In The Middle" tackles themes of internalized conflict in the wake of a collapsed relationship, giving voice to an inner monologue attempting to make sense of abrupt loneliness. But Boy Jr. doesn't wallow in self pity, that's not their M.O., juxtaposing the vulnerable lyrics with a tough-as-nails composition that draws attention to the misdirected feelings of inadequacy by highlighting the absurdity of attempting to live up to the imagined ideal of a simply disinterested party. Any perceived shortcomings are more than just skin deep and require acceptance of self before seeking the companionship of another, someone ideally also working on loving themselves and open to a stronger commitment that's more than simply physical - a mutual desire to form a bond by meeting in the middle.

Originally released in the lead up to Pay Attention To Meeee's June 2022 release, "Meet Me In The Middle" gets a second shot in the limelight with a brand new video that casts Boy Jr. as a psychedelic avenger on a path of revenge against a spectacularly shitty ex. Flanked by a pair of similarly snubbed women the trio of 21st Century Charlie's Angels transform from street clothes to vibrant ensembles in the blink of an eye, a visual representation of self-actualization and feminine solidarity retaliating against fuckboy transgressions with superpowered prowess.

Pay Attention To Meeee is available to stream on Spotify and via Bandcamp. Follow Boy Jr. on Instagram for the latest.