Rather than borrowing from the overblown rock sounds of the ‘70s, this Denver artist Kamtin Mohager breathes an exhilarating second life into the pop sounds of the ‘80s. Mohager coaxes a convincing falsetto into airy, synth pop territory when he’s not using a dusky, austere delivery to work over the distorted synths and rubbery guitars. Tunes ping-pong between the dance-floor euphoria of bands like Human League and the anthem rock of Simple Minds, sometimes blending them (as on “Undercover,” “Taste of Heaven,” and “Heartbreaking Scream”), and often giving them a slithering, Primal Scream backbone. The crispy synths on “Ethical Drugs” nudge up to a seductive, languid bed of keyboard and warm congas; “Hold On” blends an irresistible dance beat, glassy synths, and effervescent vocals with a hazy, au courant pop vibe. The Beck-ish, Fleetwood Mac-sampling “Stop” flows with liquid funk, a hip-swaying poke at youthful fatuity, while the staticky coating on the pulsating “Devil Lady” hints at LCD Soundsystem. Wayward Fire is a hugely smart and sexy juggernaut of a record.