It has been nearly 4 years since Milwaukee synthwave duo IMMORTAL GIRLFRIEND released their last EP ‘Ride’ although singular excursions have maintained the presence of the self-proclaimed Dark Knights Of Synth.

Launching themselves in 2017 with the ‘Daybreak’ EP, their songs have been used in Netflix shows such as ‘Wednesday’ and ‘Good Girls’ but that shouldn’t be entirely surprising given their cinematic sound.

IMMORTAL GIRLFRIEND are Will and Kevin Bush, two brothers influenced by long night drives but the new EP ‘Sojourner’ takes on extra poignancy with Will’s critical illness diagnosis and treatment. A “Sojourner” is defined as a “temporary resident” and this acts as a metaphor for life as the collection carries a spectrum of emotions experienced over the past few years.

Opening proceedings, the ‘Sojourner’ title track is an impressive moody instrumental, like NINE INCH NAILS’ ‘At The Heart Of It All’ from ‘Further Down The Spiral’ reimagined by John Carpenter before flipping into an unexpected Hi-NRG disco cassette interlude and returning with burst of percussive drama under headlights.

With understated vocals and an arpeggiated sparkle, ‘Hourglass’ brings a European vibe with the likes of France’s M83 being a pointer while cut from a not dissimilar cloth, ‘Calling’ brings the sombre synthbass pulses forward alongside layers of voices pitched at all frequencies. Sweeping into ‘10:32PM’ for a quick burst of night time ambience, the stuttering rhythm construction on ‘Mobile’ recalls MAN WITHOUT COUNTRY and introduces subtle R ‘n’ B elements into the equation.

A heavy metronomic beat and robotically assisted harmonies shape the comparatively sinister spectre of ‘All I Want’ before into the final stretch, ‘Diamond Black’ blends eerie synth atmospherics with metallic drum machine and electronic voice treatments.

Back from their own long form sojourn with a vengeance, it has been a long journey for IMMORTAL GIRLFRIEND to this point. But this synth odyssey is a valuable statement from the Bush Brothers that music, both as a creative and a listener, plays a role in elevating the spirit during troubled times and provides therapeutic benefits to all.

Despite the serious disposition, catchy hooks in the bass and melodic structures are in evidence to prevent things from becoming too morose. In darkness, music can provide the light. It ultimately allows ‘Sojourner’ to be accessible and enjoyable, positioning it above most of what is being labelled synthwave currently.

‘Sojourner’ is available as a digital EP via the usual online platforms including https://immortalgirlfriend.bandcamp.com/

https://www.immortalgirlfriend.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Immortalgirlfriend

https://twitter.com/Immortal_GF

https://www.instagram.com/immortal_girlfriend/

https://open.spotify.com/album/4W8pZCufm1d2irvdrAoFGc

Text by Chi Ming Lai
10 February 2024