Electronic musical duo Boy Harsher has been making waves in music with their dark, rhythmic electro-pop. The duo comprises vocalist Jae Matthews and producer Augustus Muller. Matthew’s sensual, enchanting vocals join forces with Muller’s slick, hypnotic production to create the distinct sound that is Boy Harsher.
After working together in a project with a different name in 2013, Boy Harsher was born in 2014 as the pair’s music evolved into a more danceable sound. Their home-recorded, debut EP “Lesser Man” began the beginning of their devoted, cult-like following of fans. Songs from that EP like “Pain” and “Lust” became fan favorites, establishing the duo’s industrial, dark wave sound that the world of music was waiting for.
Since their debut in 2014, Boy Harsher has built a unique sonic world driven by EBM, synth pop and dark electro pop. What many fans may not know, Matthews and Muller were in a romantic relationship together. After a decade of making music together, the pair’s relationship as lovers ended. Moments of uncertainty of what the future of Boy Harsher looks like followed Matthews and Muller.
Time to Get Mean
On their major label debut, Boy Harsher gives fans their most personal and experimental work to date. GET MEAN shows the journey of maintaining a creative relationship while mourning the loss of a romantic one.Thematically, the record explores love, grief and survival all leading to a sense of redemption between the pair. Despite the record’s heavy subject matter, sonically the musical territory is the most bright and vibrant fans have heard from the band. The synths are glossier, brighter and the beats are softer.
However, Boy Harsher does not completely ditch the industrial sound fans know and love. Songs like “Ice Pick (Walk Away),” and “Bleed” stay true to their dark, electro-pop roots. What makes GET MEAN stand out in the band’s catalog are the sonic risks they take. On this project, their sound takes inspiration in a brighter, 80s style synth-pop. “Ronny” and “Jeans,” the first two tracks on the album, lean more toward an upbeat 80s-style sound. The experimentation and exploration of sound Boy Harsher takes on this record was well executed. Matthews and Muller have built such a distinct sonic world. GET MEAN not only expands it sonically, but also lyrically.
After grieving the loss of a romantic relationship, the members of Boy Harsher had a lot to say. What better way to do that than through the music they make? Lyrically, the pair gives fans an intimate look at maintaining their creative partnership while mourning the loss of their time as romantic partners. The intimate lyrics and fresh sound work together to make a stellar major label debut from Boy Harsher.
Luckily for fans, the pair decided to continue their creative relationship. Creative blocks and long periods of travel ultimately led to the inspiration of the band’s new album. Get Mean, Boy Harsher’s major label debut, chronicles everything that comes after a breakup.
Mean on the Road
Boy Harsher just began the leg of their U.S. tour. Most of the dates are sold out, but few tickets remain for a handful of shows.
