This album reeks of integrity, good will, and a simple, straightforward ambition to express oneself to others—to help us understand or connect differently with them; not for their audience, but for the outside world. There’s little ego behind the lyrics and style of singing. The playing reminds me of Phil Elverum of The Microphones, but the crooning is more brazen and the touch is lighter.
I’m impressed with the sustained notes, the sustained spirit never quelled. The candle won’t extinguish anything, but after a while, you accept the unbelievable, and let its light wash over you, bathing you in its simplicity. The vocals sound unfiltered; they’re genuine. I see Paulie playing at a dive bar somewhere with only two people sitting nearby to hear; regardless, he sings with the passion he’d bring performing for a packed venue, dedicating this next song to the love of his life.
The strings elevate his performance and lift his howls to heavenly heights. I wish we could all stay here forever; however, the album is only roughly seventeen minutes long. I recommend looping this record for as long as you can stand a frank, musical opinion on the state of living.