At a glance, it would be fair to say that Roman Cheglov’s musical journey is far from a standard industry trajectory. Now 45 and based in Austria, the Russian-born songwriter is currently unearthing a three-decade backlog of compositions, bringing them into the light and applying a modern touch. His latest single, ‘I Will Never Be the Same’, serves as a poignant bridge between his present self and his fifteen-year-old psyche.
While many of us might find their teenage scribblings embarrassing in hindsight, Roman has embraced the raw, unfiltered perspective of his youth on the single. It’s a choice that blends with an acoustic, lilting rock sound of the track, creating an atmosphere that feels perfectly grounded.
The song leans heavily into a reflective rock aesthetic, underpinned by rolling melodies and subtle blues textures. There is a distinct, moody atmosphere here that nods toward the darker, more poetic side of the ‘60s and 70’s, at times channelling the spirit of The Doors through its melancholic pacing. Roman’s approach to recording is refreshingly organic; he avoids over-sanitised production by collaborating with session musicians to find the arrangement in real-time. He notes, “I think it brings more life and energy to the songs as I believe the first impressions and ideas are always the best.”
Lyrically, the song captures that specific teenage cocktail of playfulness and existential dread. Lines like “All my life I’ve been trying to get stoned, But all my desires are flames in a fire” reflect a youthful yearning for escape that feels honest rather than performative. Roman admits the track depicts a “little playful and sad” mood, acknowledging a precocious awareness that “everything is moving and changing fast.” While the vocal delivery is recorded separately from the live instrumental take, it maintains a weary, lived-in quality that suits the song’s themes of regret and inevitable change.
The latest in a line of five singles, all of which seem to genre-hop and move between style, ‘I Will Never Be the Same’ is a raw and unfiltered introduction to Roman as a songwriter. As standalone piece, ‘I Will Never Be the Same’ succeeds by prioritising atmosphere over polish.
It is a promising glimpse into his upcoming 2026 album and a testament to the value of holding onto one’s early creative sparks. To stay updated on his upcoming recordings and album progress, make sure to follow Roman Cheglov on Instagram.
