Synthpop duo Boy Harsher will release their new album "Get Mean" this year, marking their first full-length record since 2019's "Careful." The project arrives as Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller navigate their creative partnership following the end of their romantic relationship, a significant shift for the Baltimore-based darkwave act.
The band teased the album last month with the synth-driven track "Jeans," a propulsive mall anthem that hinted at the production direction of the new work. They've now unveiled "Hard Beat" as the official second single and album announcement, further establishing the sonic palette Matthews and Muller crafted for "Get Mean."
Between "Careful" and now, Boy Harsher completed work on the soundtrack for their 2022 horror film "The Runner," which demonstrated their ability to expand beyond traditional pop songwriting into cinematic composition. That project served as a holding pattern while the duo navigated both personal and professional transitions. Their previous releases established them as key figures in the darkwave revival, blending synth-pop hooks with moody, introspective production that appealed equally to club audiences and indie listeners.
The announcement of "Get Mean" suggests Boy Harsher have translated their recent upheaval into artistic material. The album title itself carries a confrontational edge, implying the duo may be channeling tension and complexity into their songwriting rather than shying away from it. For a band built on the chemistry between two collaborators, continuing to work together after a breakup represents both a creative challenge and an opportunity to prove their partnership extends beyond romance.
The release represents Boy Harsher's continued relevance in electronic music at a moment when the synthpop and darkwave aesthetics they helped revitalize continue to resonate with listeners seeking both dancefloor appeal and emotional depth. With "Hard Beat" establishing momentum, the full album will test whether the duo's personal recalibration translates into their strongest work yet.