In the mid 2010’s Boy Harsher seemed unstoppable, as they had gone from a modest fanbase to a significant amount of popularity thanks to some singles that showed up in a lot of people’s YouTube algorithms. By the time 2019’s Careful came out, the group’s combination of darkwave, EBM, and synthpop was truly infectious and selling out venues all over. I saw them around that time and it was remarkable how close Careful was able to capture the dark, sweaty, and non-stop dancing feel of the live performance. In the years that followed the duo turned their attention to film, writing, producing, directing, and scoring The Runner in 2022 which took things in a more horror influenced direction. Since then fans have been wondering when more music from Boy Harsher would emerge, but it turns out there was a good deal of turmoil beneath the surface that would make that take a bit longer. Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller had been romantically involved since the band’s beginnings, and their music was written with elements that reflected that, but following a break-up in 2024 things took a noticeably different dynamic. For others this would spell the end of a long-running project and the two would’ve gone their separate ways, but for Boy Harsher they’ve remained together as a musical act and continued to evolve with Get Mean. This also serves as their major label debut with Atlantic Records, and while its pivot to airier synthpop and new wave has a very different feel, this is still an album that draws you in.
While the group hasn’t fully lost their dark, gothic club tone that defined earlier efforts, there is a noticeable shift on Get Mean towards brighter melodies and huge hooks that recall the synthpop and new wave hits of the 80s. This is the closest Boy Harsher has come to a pure pop album but considering how different releases labeled pop are in this decade compared to in the past that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Opener “Ronny” gives a good idea of how the sound has transformed from Closer, as you’re immediately met with layers of lush synth work that has brighter flourishes over top of a more somber, introspective foundation. “Jeans” then leans fully into the booming synthpop hooks with a huge and warmer sound, offering what may be Boy Harsher’s most accessible track to date. It’s a bit more direct and straightforward compared to some of their past work, but there’s something to be said for how well crafted and focused the melodies and beats are. I do get a bit more post punk at certain points as well, and for those that were missing that darker slant and smoke-filled atmosphere later cuts like “Hard Beat” and “Ice Pick (Walk Away)” do recapture that same vibe. One of the most surprising additions comes via closer “Bleed”, which builds itself around trap influenced beats and synth lines that seem to hover with a mysterious, haunting presence. But while there are some stunning peaks, there are also a handful of songs where the post punk melodies and synthpop rhythms start to blur together and become harder to tell apart. It doesn’t derail the experience but Get Mean does feel a little less nuanced than Careful in favor of these more streamlined hooks.
One of the most interesting aspects of Get Mean is the contrast between its instrumental tone and the vocals/lyrics. This is very much a break-up album, and while the synth work may be a bit brighter and airier compared to past Boy Harsher releases this is definitely not a happy album. It spends a lot of time exploring the grief and outpouring of emotions from the duo’s romantic break-up but also examines the path forward for Matthews and Muller. Matthews singing is as impressive as ever, finding this fine line between fragility and power, with certain verses offering a more reflective and airier cadence while others adopt a more commanding presence. “Ivy’s Spiral” offers a noticeably personal exploration of everything Matthews has been through, shifting from the singing to a short-spoken word interlude, and details like this helped draw me further into the material.
Those that were drawn in by Yr Body is Nothing and Careful may be torn when it comes to Boy Harsher’s new sound, and while there are subtle details to discover on Get Mean the more straightforward elements and emphasis on big hooks do make some of the tracks blur together over repeat listens. Yet this brighter and more polished sound creates an interesting contrast with the sad and introspective slant of the lyrics, giving the album a bit more depth than it might initially reveal. It’s an interesting evolution for the duo, and while I don’t think it quite tops Careful there are plenty of songs that will stick with me for some time. The real-life break-up could’ve easily ended the band, but instead Boy Harsher has emerged in a new form and showcased they still have plenty of life in them. Get Mean is available from Atlantic Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg