Meet an artist who firmly believes uncertainty is a gift and that, rather than resisting it, we should learn to embrace it.
Los Angeles indie rock artist, producer, and designer Allen Orr, who performs under the moniker Paper Pools, has released his debut album, Everything.
Across its nine songs, Orr moves beyond the sun-soaked analog warmth that defined his earlier work, venturing into territory that feels more mysterious and emotionally complex.
One of the album’s defining moments arrives on “25 Years,” where listeners get a glimpse into Orr’s personal life through the refrain, “love will be our lullaby.” The lyric speaks to his role as a father to twins, Poppy and Roan, grounding the song’s themes of uncertainty and growth in a deeply human experience.
Sonically, the track begins in a murky, lo-fi haze, filled with static, fuzz, and intimate vulnerability as Orr sings, “I got 25 years to hold you,” later followed by, “I got 25 years to teach you, baby.”
The sentiment gains even greater weight as a driving synth line emerges and a propulsive beat takes hold, transforming the song from a quiet reflection into an expansive indie rock anthem. In that moment, the emotional core of the lyrics and the track’s textured instrumentation become inseparable.
The vocals sit high above the mix, carrying a distorted, alt-rock edge that feels as though it's being projected through a reverberant megaphone. The effect blends seamlessly with the track’s atmospheric scope, enhancing the expansive and immersive quality of the instrumental.
It’s a powerful song that says so much through repetition, exploring the idea that time is both finite and infinite. Through the lens of Orr’s role as a father, the track reflects on the limited years he has to guide his children and show them the path forward. Yet at its core, the song is less about the passage of time and more about the enduring power of love that exists within it.
Orr’s role as a father has given him a renewed sense of purpose and clarity, shaping not only his outlook on life but also the themes that run throughout the album. As Orr explains, “When you’re younger, you hope to set a direction and say, ‘Life is going to go that way.’ As you get older, you realize you can’t control much of it. The journey becomes more important.”
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