Chicago’s Billy Joel Jr. shine with raw sincerity on “Ur a Star,” the cathartic and churning title track off their upcoming debut album – an introspective indie rock anthem of self-worth and vulnerability with a catchy mantra for believing in yourself before anyone else does.
Stream: “Ur a Star” – Billy Joel Jr.
You might press play on Billy Joel Jr. expecting a punchline, but the joke’s on you.
The Chicago four-piece may have picked a memorable band name, but what they deliver is no gag: Cathartic, compelling indie rock heavy in feeling, soaked in overdrive and the occasional effects pedal. Their latest single “Ur a Star” is alternative bliss in full ache – a tender, raw reckoning steeped in vulnerability and heart that stands out for its colorful depth and sincerity. It’s a spellbinding introduction to an unforgettable band, and one that proves their humor is only the hook; the real punchline is how much they’ll make you feel.
I thought that
We’d agree
You’d never talk to me
But I can’t deny
You’re still on my mind
You said
“I’m gonna hate you for this”
Girl, you’ve never been wrong
I’m not afraid to try again
But I change my mind all the time
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “Ur a Star,” the stirring new single from Chicago’s Billy Joel Jr. The title track off the band’s forthcoming debut album Ur A Star (independently out December 11th), this song captures the restless heart and spirit of a group coming into their own. It’s the sound of a band growing louder, bolder, and more self-assured, while holding tight to the scrappy, heart-on-sleeve honesty that earned them Chicago Reader’s “Best Emerging Band” title last year.
Formed in 2023, Billy Joel Jr. have spent the past two years carving out their place in Chicago’s thriving indie scene, and are today one of the windy city’s most exciting rising bands. What started as a tongue-in-cheek name has grown into a badge of identity – a reminder not to take things too seriously while still pouring everything into the music. Fronted by Ari Levin and rounded out by Charlie Dykstal (bass), Nate Dorian (guitar), and Karl El Sokhn (drums), the group channel slacker charm and sharp intent into songs that hit hard and linger long after. Their debut EP Rubberhose arrived in 2024, stitching jagged guitars, earnest emotion, and sardonic wit into something both nostalgic and new. Following recent singles “Blue,” “Bad Heart,” and “Isn’t It Funny?,” “Ur a Star” builds further on that foundation, signaling a confident new chapter for a band unafraid to feel deeply or laugh – at themselves and at the world – along the way.
Everyone, everyone
you know just where you’re from
Everyone, everyone knows you’re a star
You’re a star, you’re a star
You know just who you are
Everyone, everyone knows you’re a star
Frontman Ari Levin describes “Ur a Star” as a turning point for Billy Joel Jr. – the transition between where the group was in the wake of their debut EP, and where they’re headed next.
“‘Ur a Star’ was the first song that felt like the band was evolving into its next form,” he tells Atwood Magazine. “It pointed us toward the sound of where we were going, and it has been the nexus of every song we’ve written since. It started as a quiet demo I wrote in my apartment – half self-reflection, half free-association – and it grew into this sprawling, anthemic ballad… The words read like a sad breakup song, but the characters in the song are like different parts of myself. I like to write things that mean something to me, but written in a way that anyone could paint their own experiences into it.”
“For me, it’s about that internal struggle between self-confidence and doubt, arrogance and humility – the push and pull of how you see yourself versus how you think others see you,” he adds. “The first lines of the song, ‘I thought that we’d agreed you’d never talk to me,’ sound like it’s a conversation between two people in a relationship, but that’s the trick. The relationship is just a device for an internalized struggle, trying to show compassion and grace towards myself.”
“Ur a Star” begins in quiet introspection, Levin’s voice low and unassuming over a dreamy, reverberating guitar line that feels more like memory than motion. It’s like we’re bearing witness to his own private reckoning, each line a thought half-whispered to the self: “I thought that we’d agree you’d never talk to me, but I can’t deny you’re still on my mind.” His phrasing is clipped and tentative, the guitar line moving carefully, cautiously alongside him. When he admits, “I’m not afraid to try again but I change my mind all the time,” the song locates its fault line – the tug of wanting and wavering, of leaning in and pulling back. A half-step between self-reflection and confession, it’s as if he’s sifting through something fragile he’s not ready to let go of.
I’d forget, but there’s nothing to regret
Oh, what does love mean to you?
“You make your bed”
That thing you always said
Oh, are you thinking of me?
I’m not afraid to die again
But I change my mind all the time
When the chorus arrives, it feels like exhale and eruption all at once. The guitars bloom, the drums surge forward, and Levin’s voice widens from private thought to open declaration: “Everyone, everyone, you know just where you’re from; everyone, everyone knows you’re a star.” What begins as self-doubt transforms into something closer to belief, the repetition of “You’re a star, you’re a star, you know just who you are” landing like a mantra – something he has to say again and again until he believes it. The band meet him in that search for self-assurance, their playing swelling with warmth and urgency. It’s cathartic without being triumphant, a reminder that self-worth isn’t a destination, but a feeling you have to fight for every time you reach it.
Everyone, Everyone
you know just where you’re from
Everyone, Everyone knows you’re a star
You’re a Star, You’re a Star
You know just who you are
Everyone, Everyone knows you’re a star
Everyone, Everyone – you know just who you are
Everyone, Everyone knows you’re a star
You’re a Star
You know just who you are
Ur a star
Levin places “Ur a Star” at the heart of the band’s upcoming debut LP, describing it as the moment everything on the record turns inward. “The album, also named Ur A Star, is a total reflection on the irony and sincerity that comes with the dysfunction of modern living,” he explains. “Each track stands on its own – one might be about falling in love, one might be a little silly, and another about feeling your own mortality at a party – but they’re all tied together by this tension between self-deprecation and genuine emotion. The title track sits right at the center of that; it’s the emotional hinge of the record. It’s where the humor drops away and something more honest and introspective takes over.”
What does it mean to be a star? In Billy Joel Jr.’s universe, it’s less about glamour or grandeur and more about grace – the quiet act of seeing yourself clearly, even when it’s hard to. The word carries both irony and warmth, flickering between self-deprecation and sincerity the way the band themselves do. Levin sings to the fractured parts of himself and, in doing so, to anyone who’s ever struggled to believe they matter. “You’re a star, you’re a star, you know just who you are” isn’t an ego trip; it’s a self-reminder, a mantra for the moments when doubt feels louder than confidence. The song’s catharsis comes not from certainty, but from trying – from learning to hold that fragile light, however dim, and call it your own.
In that sense, “Ur a Star” feels like the perfect thesis for Billy Joel Jr. – a band built on a joke that turned into something real.
(No, Billy Joel isn’t suddenly their father.) Their name might have started as a bit, a playful jab at industry nepotism, but it’s become something bigger: A metaphor for believing in yourself before anyone else does. They’ve taken fake it ‘til you make it to a new level, transforming irony into authenticity, humor into heart.
As Levin reflects, “I hope people take away a sense of strength or self-worth. Or at least they can pump their fist to it. Hopefully, the tune gives them the confidence to remember who they are, even when things aren’t so easy.”
It’s a fitting sentiment for a song – and a band – that finds beauty in contradiction, sincerity in satire, and courage in self-awareness. “Ur a Star” shines not because it’s polished, but because it’s real.
Stream “Ur a Star” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and dive into our interview with Billy Joel Jr. below as they discuss the stories, humor, and heart behind their new single and upcoming debut album!
Everyone, Everyone
you know just who you are
Everyone, Everyone knows you’re a star
You’re a Star, You’re a Star
You know just who you…
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:: stream/purchase Ur a Star here ::
:: connect with Billy Joel Jr. here ::
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Stream: “Ur a Star” – Billy Joel Jr.
A CONVERSATION WITH BILLY JOEL JR.
Atwood Magazine: Billy Joel Jr., for those who are just discovering you today through this writeup, what do you want them to know about you and your music?
Ari Levin: I’d start by saying Chicago is in the middle of an indie rock renaissance, and we’re a part of it. Last year we played all over the city and across the Midwest, which was amazing, and it eventually led to Billy Joel Jr. being named the “Best emerging band of 2024” by the Chicago Reader. Beyond the accolades, we’re just four dudes who love to make indie rock for anyone still figuring things out. Our sound is soaked in ’90s grunge and alt rock but deeply rooted in the heart of Chicago – the grit, humor, and honesty that come with living here. Our music walks a line between slacker indifference and obsessive romantic. The songs are loud and a little messy, built on our live energy. Our shows are chaotic and sweaty (with a moshpit or two, and our music tries to capture that magic of our performances.
Tell me about your band name! Is the Piano Man an inspiration? How did this come about – and were there other options?
Ari Levin: Yeah, the name’s a little tongue-in-cheek! I’m a fan for sure, but the name originally started as a joke. When the band began, we’d say that Billy Joel was our dad. Back then, we’d play a few covers in our set and we’d say it was “Piano Man” or “The Stranger” but then play a completely different tune (read: loud guitar music). Unfortunately, he isn’t our dad! We’re just a bunch of children of immigrants (and Charlie) borrowing the name.
As the band grew in the Chicago scene, it turned from being less of a joke and more to a way to invent our own nepotistic connection. The “Juniors” of the world who only get places because of their daddy’s name (sorry, Gracie Abrams, we love Star Trek). Hopefully, we can ride our fake nepotism to the top!
I’ve also grown to love the Junior aspect of our name. On our first release, Rubberhose, we used this cartoonish design and leaned in to the boyish nature. I also like to think it’s a little reminder to not take ourselves too seriously.
What's the story behind your song “Ur a Star”?
Ari Levin: “Ur a Star” was the first song that felt like the band was evolving into its next form. It pointed us toward the sound of where we were going, and it has been the nexus of every song we’ve written since.
It started as a quiet demo I (Ari) wrote in my apartment – half self-reflection, half free-association – and it grew into this sprawling, anthemic ballad. We host jams on occasion, and one night after almost everyone had gone home, I started playing this one for Nate. He stayed another hour with me, workshopping the arrangement.
The words read like a sad breakup song, but the characters in the song are like different parts of myself. I like to write things that mean something to me, but written in a way that anyone could paint their own experiences into it.
You've said this song is about a long-term relationship and recognizing your own self-worth. What’s “Ur a Star” about, for you?
Ari Levin: For me, it’s about that internal struggle between self-confidence and doubt, arrogance and humility – the push and pull of how you see yourself versus how you think others see you. The first lines of the song, “I thought that we’d agreed you’d never talk to me,” sounds like it’s a conversation between two people in a relationship, but that’s the trick. The relationship is just a device for an internalized struggle, trying to show compassion and grace towards myself.
Writing the song was fluid. It became more of an affirmation to ground myself. Recognizing you’re a “star” is something you have to practice, even when it feels forced. Sorta like puffing out your chest to the world when all you want to do is stay in bed. And fittingly, it’s the first track we recorded where I wrote and played the guitar solo myself – something I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do before.
How does this track fit into the overall narrative of your debut album?
Ari Levin: The album, also named Ur a Star, is a total reflection on the irony and sincerity that comes with the dysfunction of modern living. Each track stands on its own – one might be about falling in love, one might be a little silly, and another about feeling your own mortality at a party – but they’re all tied together by this tension between self-deprecation and genuine emotion. The title track sits right at the center of that; it’s the emotional hinge of the record. It’s where the humor drops away and something more honest and introspective takes over.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Ur a Star,” and what have you taken away from creating it and now putting it out?
Ari Levin: I hope they take away a sense of strength or self-worth. Or at least they can pump their fist to it! Hopefully, the tune gives them the confidence to remember who they are, even when things aren’t so easy. Our main goal with this record was to capture the essence of our shows; recording everything live in-studio was really important to us. Every imperfection that comes with the recording process was honored, and I think that’s a beautiful thing – to let the record exist as a snapshot in time, to let it serve as a reminder of where we’ve been, so that we can use it as a signpost to continue to grow.
For us, making it was a turning point. It showed us that we could push beyond the raw, scrappy energy of Rubberhose and still sound like ourselves – just a little more open, a little more self-aware, and maybe a little more grown up.
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:: stream/purchase Ur a Star here ::
:: connect with Billy Joel Jr. here ::
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