Review HI! SPENCER “immernie”

Hi! Spencer are an indie rock band from Osnabrück, Germany. The band is the brainchild of five friends who have known each other since their school days. With immernie, Hi! Spencer have released their new album, marking their fifth studio record.

The quintet has packed eleven songs onto immernie, moving stylistically between rock, indie, and a few roots in punk. The guys enrich this mix with strong melodies, making the album an enjoyable and rewarding listen.

While Hi! Spencer continue to develop musically and offer plenty of variety, the lyrics are just as important to the band’s appeal. Their songs deal with life and everyday subjects, focusing on the emotional side of things. There is often a touch of melancholy woven into the songs, but the real magic happens when this slightly darker mood meets bright melodies and lyrics that always let a little hope shine through. A good example is “Mein Tal,” the album opener.

Rocking songs like “Motel One” are balanced by quieter moments such as “Unsere Jahre.” This range gives the album a natural flow. “Gespenster” is a dynamic track that draws you in with a well-crafted melody running throughout the song. It also represents the album’s positive side particularly well. There is no need to be afraid of ghosts, after all—they eventually disappear, and in the end, all you’re left with is a sheet with two holes in it. Sometimes, apparently, even ghosts have a sense of humor.

“Heimweh” is a thoughtful and slightly darker song, but it never sinks into a valley of tears. It also gives frontman Sven Bensmann a chance to show off his distinctive, rough-edged voice. “Elefant” addresses the elephant in the room, and once again, the album’s overall concept becomes clear. Hi! Spencer embrace the idea of ambivalence, something that is already reflected in the album title. Always and never are two opposing poles, and immernie moves between these and other similar contrasts.

Hi! Spencer have delivered a well-crafted album that already reveals plenty of charm on the first listen. immernie radiates warmth and humanity, resonating throughout all eleven songs. These five guys have found their own musical identity and continue to develop it without drifting too far from their roots. immernie is an album that comes from the heart—and aims straight for the heart.