RUUNE is self described as a “gay multi-media performance artist from new england practicing gender magick.” I’m fairly sure they live in the Pioneer Valley, but they list their Hometown (on Facebook) as “12th house.” Astrology House 12 represents where we feel most vulnerable… In the spring of last year, I had the pleasure of seeing PussyVision and RUUNE perform at the Unitarian Church in Amherst; RUUNE’s performance was intimate while maintaining high energy. Since then, RUUNE has been added to the San Francisco label Vulpiano Records. “The Debug Room” is RUUNE’s first release on the label.

“THE DEBUG ROOM” is a blending of pop vocals and chip tune backing tracks. “GONNA WEAR IT ANYWAYS” is an upbeat chip tune banger about… wearing whatever the hell you please, no matter what others think about your clothing choices — “I’m here, I’m queer, and I have nothing to wear that doesn’t make me hate the way that I appear to you.” Bit crushed synths scream over a minimalist kick-and-clap beat throughout. “GONNA WEAR IT ANYWAYS” and two other uptempo tracks begin the EP, and “NEVER SEEN A LAKE,” a half spoken word half sung track, ends the EP. “NEVER SEEN A LAKE” is the highlight of this EP. The lyrics are delivered with three simultaneous takes: one of RUUNE shouting, one of RUUNE speaking, and one of RUUNE singing. The instrumental is less claustrophobic than the previous tracks. Although it retains RUUNE’s trademark chip tune drums, most of the track is backed by only a piano. “THE DEBUG ROOM” is at once fun and defiant, well worth the listen.