December delivered a disappointing development: Portland duo Van Go Lion had called it quits. But that bad news was tempered by the debut of three unreleased tracks and Amy Paige’s announcement that she’d already formed a new band with producer Jason Wann.

Paige told Popservations that she and “new musical soulmate” Wann were planning an EP for early 2020, and right on time, Familiar Strangers popped up on iTunes last Thursday. Naming their new DIY team-up Sobriquet, Paige and Wann have picked a moniker that’s both inspired and cheekily ironic (not everyone is so self-serious as Portlandia might lead us to believe).

Taking a spin through the seven tracks on Familiar Strangers, anyone who loved Van Go Lion or counts themselves a fan of female-fronted synthpop will be singing the praises of Sobriquet in short order. Lead track “Neon Lies” sets the tone for the EP, with Paige’s vocals paired with a prominent, pulsating bassline that pulls you in. “Summer” celebrates the kind of fleeting crushes that often blossom during that time of year, a shimmering midtempo track that’s accompanied by a galloping beat and a few flourishes reminiscent of late ’80s extended remixes. “Made Yr Choices” could have come from the House of Brokenhearted Swedes, the song’s chorus anchored by the fantastic if mildly awkward couplet, “You made your choices, then you fled the scene / But you have your chance now to make it all come clean.”

“Breakdown Proper” brings to mind both Lisa Lisa and Madonna, while “When The Night Is Over” sparkles like Robyn at her sad-disco best. “Love Is A Sin” marries ballad-mode Roxette with Madonna’s “The Power Of Good-Bye,” but with an altogether tougher-sounding production. With “All These Years (Theme),” Sobriquet draws Familiar Strangers to a emotional close, if a surprising one as it’s entirely wordless. Giorgio Moroder would be proud.

Sobriquet’s debut EP is synthpop of a very high caliber, offering strong melodies wrapped in sounds at once familiar and fresh. Special kudos are due Paige and Wann for crafting some great bridges (check the middle eights of “Breakdown Proper” and “Love Is A Sin”). Sobriquet may be strangers to most at the moment, but not for long with these seven songs.

Purchase Sobriquet – Familiar Strangers EP via iTunes.