Setting the tone with an ethereal guitar soundscape and cosmic frequency before expanding with textured drums, Wágner opens his cover of A Flock of Seagulls‘ I Ran with intrigue and dimensionality.
The opus evolves with instrumental mastery to take us on an evocative journey as Wágner shares a situational narrative as he sings, “I walk along the avenue, I never thought I’d meet a girl like you…”
We immediately connect with the authenticity of the lyricism of the song, and the story-driven approach to songwriting that Wágner delivers with his reinterpretation. Speaking on his wider artistry, Wágner, who is the former frontman of mid-nineties alternative rock band, Nerve, confesses, “I’m tak[ing] you on a musical journey that bridges the past and the future, a journey that is as much about rediscovery as it is about reimagining. This journey [marks] a triumphant return to the music scene after a hiatus of nearly three decades.”
The star continues, “As a New York City native, I’ve been known for my impactful and emotive vocal style since the early days of my career. My debut EP, A Way of Life, was a testament to my love for the New Romantics and the New Wave movement. Now, I’m back with a fresh perspective and a new collaborator, the multi-instrumentalist Mauricio Mirapalheta, who is known for his roots in the metal and punk genres.”
We love the architecture of the track and the direction that Wágner takes us in with his sound design. We learn that the release is the second single from his forthcoming album, Sonic Memories, which is set to be “a thoughtful collection of covers that redefines the annals of iconic music from the last few decades.”
Wágner adds, “It’s a story of resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of music. It’s about an artist who, after a long hiatus, is returning to the scene with a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh sound.”
We have added Wágner‘s reimagining of I Ran to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we anticipate the release of the EP, and continue to stream his wider discography including Secret Oktober!