“Take On Me (The Magic Epic Version)” is singer/songwriter The Magic Epic and producer Andy Brook’s take on A-ha’s song released in 1985. I always liked this sort of remakes as they say a lot about the artist’s vision and sound. They took the original upbeat tune and turned it into their very own thing. Turning the song’s main melody into a sweet soothing piano melody while adding subtle guitar melodies gave it a whole new feeling. They didn’t stop there, tuning down the vocal melody into a dreamy one using The Magic Epic’s vocal abilities and range to channel a lot of emotions had a great impact on me as a listener giving the lyrics a new perspective, especially when combined with the orchestrations he added. One of the most interesting things about this remake is its arrangement, the way the piano and guitar took parts in building the mood and melody without any of them taking over the other, and how both were joined in a smooth conversation around the middle of the song before it escalates toward the ending sent shivers to my spine as I listened to it over and over.
“Take On Me (The Magic Epic Version)” shows a lot of character. It’s a challenge because it’ll always be compared to the original song and from my humble POV, it’ll definitely hold its ground. It shows a good sense of melody, character, and a lot of faith in their abilities. I’m really glad I had to review it and will be keeping an eye on future releases. Cheers, and waiting for more.