Jae Stephens Returns With Early-2000s Pop Confidence On ‘Boyfriend Forever’

Jae Stephens makes a sharp return with Boyfriend Forever, her latest single. It’s playful, confident and packed with early-2000s pop attitude, a knowing wink to an era of candy-coated heartbreaks and radio-ready hooks.

Over glossy production that blends retro synths with sleek R&B textures, Jae leans into the freedom of moving on. “Boyfriend Forever” isn’t sentimental; it’s fun, flirtatious and unapologetically self-assured. There’s a cheeky edge to her delivery that fits perfectly with her current arc, one where she’s redefining what Black pop looks and sounds like in 2025.

The single follows SELLOUT II, her acclaimed 2025 EP praised for its inventive mix of pop and R&B. The series, which began with 2024’s SELLOUT, has cemented Jae as one of the most creative and self-aware voices in her lane. From the shimmering ‘WET’ to the fan-favourite Body Favors, she’s shown a consistent ability to switch between intimacy and bold, full-volume pop energy.

With Boyfriend Forever, Jae reclaims early-2000s pop through her own lens, nostalgic but never derivative, sharp but still playful. As she gears up for her sold-out London show at The Lower Third on 24 November and teases more music to come, it’s clear she’s entering a confident new phase.

If SELLOUT was about proving her range, Boyfriend Forever shows she’s having fun with it.