When it comes to songwriting, less is more and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who's spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop. Maybe he learned the power of minimalism from his years as a pro boxer, maybe it just comes naturally. But whether he's targeting heads, hearts, hips or the occasional funny bone, he somehow manages to condense large nuggets of wisdom into tight little mantras, the kind embroiderers stitched onto pillows before internet memes existed.

Thorn's new album, Life Is Just a Vapor, contains some beauties. "Life is a vapor, let's live it while we can"; "tough times don't last, but tough people do" (from "Tough Times Don't Last"); "any mountain up ahead is just a hill" (from "Old Melodies"). They're words of advice, comfort, support, encouragement, often meant to uplift, especially in times of struggle.

"I like for people to be touched by music and get something from it, something that they can take with them throughout the day," Thorn says. "Every song on this album, there's a message in it of some sort about how to live life."

Released 2/21/25 through Perpetual Obscurity, Life Is Just a Vapor is available here as an Opaque Blue Vinyl LP and on CD.

Preorders for local, store pickup will be available at Grimey’s on Friday, February 21st.

Preorders for mail order will ship out from Grimey’s after Friday, February 21st.

*Preorders for store pickup will be held for three months after release date. Please pick up your Life Is Just a Vapor preorder no later than May 21st.