Boy Harsher's 'The Runner': Claustrophobic Synth Lacks Drive

The darkwave duo Boy Harsher has released a new film project, 'The Runner,' accompanied by a soundtrack that maintains their characteristic stripped-down, hypnotic style. However, the project's limited sonic palette, while often effective, verges on claustrophobia, with many tracks feeling sterile and flat.

The music for 'The Runner' struggles to maintain momentum, with songs like 'The Ride Home' and 'Escape' proving frustratingly sedate and lyrically repetitive. Even collaborations, like 'Machina' with Mariana Saldaña, lean heavily on '80s emulation. Moments of brilliance surface in the collaboration with Lucy on 'Autonomy' and the horror-synth-infused opener 'Tower.'

The accompanying film, directed by the duo, features Kristina Esfandiari as a protagonist who seduces and murders characters. While employing psychological horror elements, the film achieves some impact through choreography synchronized with the mechanical score, particularly in scenes like 'Give Me a Reason.'

This project emerged following vocalist Jae Matthews' multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Matthews described the writing process as cathartic, with the lead character embodying self-sabotage and a need to flee self-created disasters. This desire for freedom is central to 'The Runner,' with the soundtrack capturing taut electronic beauty but ultimately succumbing to insularity and a lack of drive.