B-Side Guys

Former Apollo Quad frontman Hythum steps into solo territory with “Pace,” a meditation on personal timing that pushes back against life’s artificial deadlines. The Los Angeles musician crafts an anthem for late bloomers, turning FOMO into fuel for self-acceptance.

The track opens with imagery of surrender—”wading through the ebb and flow”—but quickly reveals itself as a manifesto for intentional living. Hythum’s acknowledgment that he’ll “bloom late” isn’t an apology but a declaration of independence from societal timelines.

His lyrics dissect the psychology of comparison with surgical precision. The observation that life feels harder “when you see it as a straight line” cuts through toxic productivity culture to expose its faulty logic. Meanwhile, “envy chews you down to the root of your core” captures the corroding effect of constant comparison.

The chorus’s mantra—”Slow down to my own pace”—gains power through context. It’s not just about moving slower; it’s about recognizing speed itself as a form of violence against natural development. The healing Hythum describes comes specifically from rejecting “the need for the race.”

In the bridge, “my soul is feeling fatigued by agendas weighing down on me” delivers its critique through exhaustion rather than anger. The admission that it “feels naive to be chained to a plan when so many things are out of my hands” transforms resignation into wisdom.

The production mirrors this philosophical stance, allowing ideas to develop at their own tempo rather than rushing to climax. Each element enters when needed rather than when expected, creating a sonic environment that practices what it preaches.

Particularly striking is Hythum’s recognition of “darkness to explore that I can’t ignore.” This isn’t toxic positivity masquerading as self-help—it’s an honest assessment of growth’s prerequisites. You can’t skip chapters in personal development any more than you can in a book.

“I’ll know when I find it / what I’m searching for” serves as both conclusion and starting point. It’s a statement of faith in intuition over instruction, internal compass over external map. The certainty isn’t in the destination but in the ability to recognize it when it appears.

This initial solo offering suggests an artist who’s found his voice by questioning the rush to be heard. In stepping away from Apollo Quad to explore new territory, Hythum embodies his own message: sometimes the most progressive move is to slow down.