B-Side Guys

Grief often finds its most honest expression not through grand orchestration but in stripped-back intimacy. Marios Moutsos, stepping away from his role as frontman of Greek alternative rock band The Pigeonhole Project, proves this through his solo project Dislike Tonality on the haunting tribute “Paul.”

The track’s lo-fi production creates an immediate sense of vulnerability—crackling guitars and minimal percussion frame Moutsos’ voice in a way that feels like overhearing a private conversation rather than a performance. When he sings “You know you smell funny, I don’t care,” the casualness of address creates startling immediacy, positioning listeners as eavesdroppers on a conversation with an absent companion.

What makes “Paul” remarkable is how Moutsos captures mourning’s circular nature. The song’s structure mirrors grief’s tendency to loop and repeat, with lyrical phrases that echo and return like unwelcome realizations. The emotional crescendo arrives with “Sometimes I see you, you’re right in front of me,” delivered with raw conviction that transforms an ordinary observation into profound longing.

The collaboration with producer Ioannis Voudouris (formerly of Rosebleed) proves particularly effective in the track’s middle section, where guitars briefly swell before receding like waves of emotion that can’t be sustained. This dynamic shift perfectly complements Moutsos’ reflection on how his feline companion served as “the perfect reminder” amid life’s distractions.

While pet eulogies risk sentimentality, “Paul” succeeds by focusing on specific, genuine moments rather than generic platitudes. Moutsos’ final benediction—”And now I truly get you, darling rest in peace”—carries the weight of authentic revelation rather than obligatory closure. In transforming personal loss into universal meditation on connection, “Paul” demonstrates how the most specific loves often speak most clearly to our shared experience.