Artist Watch: “Sojourner” by Immortal Girlfriend
FEATURING FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, PLAYERS, COMPOSERS AND THEIR MUSIC OUTSIDE OF THE LICENSE LAB CATALOG
Artist: Immortal Girlfriend
Feature Title: Sojourner
Genres: Synthwave, Dark Pop, Retrofuture, Synthpop
Quick Description: The newest EP from the Dark Knights of Synth delivers a mix of soundtrack textures and refreshing, dynamic dark pop tracks that conjure a cinematic experience full of desire and heartache.
For Fans of: NINA, Wolfclub, Stranger Things, Depeche Mode
The last time we caught up with Milwaukee-based synthwave duo Immortal Girlfriend they were steadily releasing trailer-worthy singles and captivating music videos in 2021. Despite the struggles of the pandemic, brothers Will and Kevin Bush kept pushing forward, organically allowing their synth-driven sound to develop while holding to their core identity.
Immortal Girlfriend’s 2024 release Sojourner continues to level up and unlock new sonic territory.
We’ve become accustomed to the band’s penchant for instrumental preludes throughout their work. However, the way they set the scene on this EP and allow the listener to soak in the nocturnal energy like a Batman-shaped sponge is masterful. From the first pulsing notes of the titular opening track, we’re immediately drawn into a movie that is familiar and unsettling, dystopian and nostalgic, and truly primes your ears for an experience.
While the synthwave genre isn’t typically known for standout lead singers in the same way as pop or rock, Will Bush’s vocals on Sojourner have steadily become more and more present since the band’s early work. It’s a subtle tweak to their operating system that has enhanced the overall sound, expanding beyond the synthwave scene by giving the hooks and harmonies more spotlight. The delivery is smooth and sensual, though you can easily imagine Bush singing with a clenched fist and furrowed brow behind those signature sunglasses. That ability to balance power and tenderness meshes perfectly with the duo’s dynamic synths and beats, especially on standout tracks like “All I Want” which push the tempo and danceability of the Immortal Girlfriend sound.
But those familiar with their previous work will still find the signature brooding, mid-tempo bangers. “Calling” harkens back to 2020’s Ride while injecting a bit of the polish and shine found in the excellent “Beyond The Blue”single. This track is a fantastic example of a band taking a winning formula and adding a new variable, creating a new fan favorite that feels familiar and fresh at the same time.
The band also released an accompanying music video for “Calling.” Directed by James Tindell and featuring performances from Michael Allen Richard Clark and "Frontman" Jah-C, the video plays on Will and Kevin Bush’s fandom of professional wrestling, complete with a chokeslam and their own championship belt.
Whether or not this video signals the beginning of the Bush brothers’ tag team wrestling career, it is a concrete example of how Immortal Girlfriend’s music can easily find a home with AEW or WWE superstars. And as we’ve noted before, dystopian franchises, darker superhero reboots, and automotive-based franchises should absolutely tag in the Dark Knights of Synthwave as trailer or soundtrack options.
The duo continues to land placements, including on Netflix’s Wednesday, but we eagerly await the day when — not if — their music hits the big screen.
If you’d like to hear more, check out these Immortal Girlfriend releases. Plus we’ve got a playlist of synth-based production music curated by Will Bush including an album he composed for The License Lab:
