The New Boys World Era Has Arrived
Colorful, inventive, and full of life, the rising girl group’s latest single, “Something In The Water” is here.
Boys World by Elinor Kry 2021
Before I even have the chance to turn on my camera, I’m greeted over Zoom with a collection of “Hello, hi, we’re here!” voices. The screen flips and Boys World appears – all five of them sat together on one couch. Joining virtually from Los Angeles, Elana Caceras, Olivia Ruby, Queenie Mae, Lillian Kay, and Makhyli are beaming with excitement to talk about their group’s new era and their brand new single, “Something In The Water.”
“We love to meet new people!” says Queenie. “Because we’ve been through the pandemic, any time we talk to people and get to show ourselves as a group in public, it’s so exciting.” Her bandmates quickly echo her in agreement.
As the always-connected, forever-dancing, musical supergroup, Boys World has taken over the digital age using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to build an entire fanbase around their dance routines and singing videos. From their choreography to their harmonizing to their lively energy, there’s no question why Boys World has attained such a dedicated fanbase so quickly. The astonishing statistical evidence that also comes with the success of their debut EP, While You Were Out, proved just how talented Boys World are. Created over the past year and during lockdown, the girls were in and out of the studio and on and off isolated music video sets to achieve an EP that charted on the Apple Music Pop Album Charts in 23 countries, the iTunes Pop Album Charts in six countries and has generated over 15 million global streams.
On top of dancing and singing, it’s obvious within the first minute of our conversation just how contagious their connections to each other are. From their nods in support to their enthusiastic “Yes!!” to even finishing each other’s sentences, it’s clear that Boys World is more than just a girl group. These are five artists who have grown into best friends and are working on becoming their best musical selves together which is fitting as BOYS does stand for achieving the “best of your self.” Through something as simple as their friendship, Elana, Olivia, Queenie, Lillian, and Makhyli are the very portraits of “Why not find our best selves together?”
Today, they’re one step closer. Their new single, “Something in the Water,” is an infectious pop hit – one full of charming energy that captures how intoxicating it can be to notice how alive you can feel in a present moment. Written by Grammy-nominated songwriter Tayla Parx (Ariana Grande, Khalid) and produced by Oliver Frid, the song allows Boys World to own this next chapter of their careers with dominating force, symbolizing the group as the future of pop music.
“This is a whole new era!” Elana tells Amplify Her Voice. “I feel like ‘Something in the Water’ is very different than the energy we had on our EP. It’s a different sound and different vibe, and that’s kind of what we’re going for right now,” and she’s right. While their EP featured hit singles like “Wingman” and “Girlfriends,” “Something in the Water” shows off the group’s lyrical and melodic maturity. “I’m not dead, but this right here is heaven,” they sing on the track. “We’re always still growing and still experiencing,” Elana continues. “We wanna get more into writing ourselves and just seeing where that takes but we’re always excited to find something new to do.”
After being named one of the 14 most influential Gen-Z “people doing the most with the least” by Refinery29, their excitement at the heels of the release of their new single is evident. “We really just wanted to put out a song that just embodied the feeling of summer with your friends outside,” Makhyli explained, and so they did.
Boys World - all in brand new hair for their brand new era - shot the music video for “Something in the Water” across rooftops and streets in Los Angeles. Directed by Chandler Less, the video not only amplifies the girls’ friendships on-screen but also truly embodies how thrilling living in the moment can be. Featuring signature Boys World choreography, Queenie Mae told us that making music videos is her favorite part of the creative process. “There’s just so much to do and it’s all so fun,” she says. “From the dancing to the styling, to the makeup to filming it. I love meeting people as well so meeting so many people on the different video sets is just really fun.”
All multi-hyphenated artists, the girls of Boys World are constantly redefining their crafts, but for Makhyli, dancing and landing the choreography for the single’s music video was a liberating joy. “I love singing so much, but it’s just so complex. I feel like dancing when no one’s looking is when I feel the freest.”
As much as the girls are all about living for the moment, they often draw inspiration from the female artists and musicians that inspired them growing up. From Kehlani’s musical versatility to Olivia Rodrigo’s ability to write feelings to Jessie J’s resilience, Boys World are inspired most by the women at the top of the music industry today. “It’s really cool when they all speak on important issues. That just makes them more inspiring,” explains Elana. “Oh and BILLIE!” they all shout at the same time, sending praise to the star’s latest Happier Than Ever album.
Boys World now has huge followings on social media, thanks to their years of showcasing their talents online. Their wildly dedicated fanbase – many of whom dream of becoming just like them – often look up to the girls for inspiration themselves. On advising about how to break out on social media and into music, Olivia jumped at the chance to tell aspiring young female artists. “It takes time!” she exclaimed. “Don’t pressure yourself. Don’t overthink and tell yourself, ‘Omg, I’m not good.’ As soon as you start doing that, you’re never going to grow. I think failure is great. You need to fail before you can succeed so just keep going. Be patient with yourself.”
“Let yourself go through the cringey state,” Makhyli adds. “I feel like a lot of people are too concerned about not being cringe but if you look back, it’s gonna be gonna cringe. So just do it. Just be yourself in the moment.”
“Also just remember to be young and to be a fan,” Queenie says. “For our time, we grew up with Hannah Montana and I know a lot of people who love Hannah Montana but everyone is so embarrassed to say they’re a fan because people think it’s ‘such a girl thing’ or something but when you’re older and you look back, you’re gonna think I wish I embraced that. I wish I held my own concerts in my garage singing her songs, or I wish I dressed up as her for Halloween. I think just staying young as much as possible is great.”
Boys World by Elinor Kry 2021
What’s next in store for Boys World is an entire universe. At the beginning of their lively, colorful, and daring new era, the girls are just at the cusp of their future in music. Lillian hopes that their EP, “Something in the Water,” and their upcoming music can represent something relatable to their fans. “I hope they relate to something because there are a lot of different stories within while you were out, and so many we’re going to tell. I feel like at least one person can relate to one thing in our music, which is always going to be the goal.”
After nearly a year creating While You Were Out and kicking off a new era in lockdown, Boys World has yet to meet so many of their fans in person. “If you could tell your fans one thing right now,” I ask them, “what would you say?” At the mention of their fanbase, the girls immediately smile, soft and grateful expressions splashed across all five of their faces, as though they adore their fans – because they do.
“We can't wait to meet you in real life!!” Makhyli says.
“We love you and we appreciate everything that you do,” continues Elana, with all four girls nodding in agreement. “All the edits, all the messages. They’re all so sweet, and we’re gonna put on a really great show for you one day.”
“Thank you, thank you – and we’re gonna hug you! So tight!” shouts Lillian.
Welcome to the new Boys World era. Its bold colors and power-pop songs are set to match the same bubbly and excited energy Elana, Olivia, Queenie, Lillian, and Makhyli are radiating on the day of their brand new single’s release. They have never been more excited to create or more ready to introduce themselves to you. With their Gen-Z lens and nostalgic flair, the group is on their way to the top, and thinking about a future with Boys World in it? It’s heaven.