Some bands with members who already grew apart should find the new normal situation not a welcome atmosphere to reunite. But the quartet making up Wink knew they were close enough to each other to rekindle the old routine despite the pandemic.
Basically, a four-piece feel-good music act used to recording and performing live, Wink members kept their bond intact even after promoting their solid 2007 debut album “Wholehearted” and going around the gig circuit. Life just got in the way.
Adjeng Buenaventura, the group’s lead singer whose solo career recently took off, saw their reunion coming. She shared, “During the start of the pandemic, there was a great desire to stay creative. So, we took the opportunity to make music again by doing video performances of covers we used to do safely in our respective homes. We fell right back into the rhythm of working together and stayed in touch and in step with each other.”
The tinkering of old repertoire led to unearthing old melodies. There was no denying the combo was bound to produce new materials. The first big result is a fresh Wink single titled “Over and Over” to be dropped in digital stores tomorrow, June 18.
The song was inspired by a couple’s testimony about restoring marriage after hurdling emotional obstacles. Herself a worship leader, the frontwoman felt much about how the pandemic has become a sort of test for marriages with weak foundations and a catalyst for happy unions to empower relationships. She wrote the track’s text along those lines.
“We tackled four compositions and I believe this one applies most to our mindset,” said drummer Junjun Regalado who’s behind the track’s tune.
"Over and Over" reflects that Wink members have not lost touch musically, and in fact became more confident as a unit. Their arrangement is neat and clever without having to force it. The song is smoothly interpreted with natural pop sensibility and employing first-rate digital recording. They warmly addressed the challenges of new normal recording and sounded like they did it in the same room. Truth was, they were just very much on the same page.
Once guitarist Adam Cesante and bass player JC Magsalin got involved, there was no stopping Wink from creating their comeback record. The boys usually work out the arrangement and background vocals, with Adjeng’s soaring vocals serving as the cherry on top. The vibe was really good they invited their friend Arnold Buena to play keyboards.
In hindsight, JC noted they never regretted their decision to step back for a while. “We dealt with our interests outside of the band and we had our own families to raise, too. Yet, we have always remained friends."
Adam said it succinctly with regards to Wink’s future: “I believe we now have different stories and experiences to tell which will eventually lead to a new sound. We’ll release more originals."
Credit goes to friendship and synergy for something always in sync called Wink.