Each Measure Feature: Paul Gehl

FEATURE

Paul Gehl’s new single “A Moment in Time” comes to me exactly at the right moment. This month I’ve been listening to almost exclusively rock albums (courtesy of a friendly “Rocktober” tradition). The straightforward hardiness of a shredding guitar and unashamed lyricism taunts us with the invitation to live in the moment and make the most of the time that we have. 

The message is overall one we’ve heard a few times, but perhaps not with the amount of zest and vigor that the latter 2.5 minutes of this song proclaims. “You can’t run from the moment in time; the reaper will find you. Now is the moment to shine, to step out of line, to say what you mean, to wake up from the dream.” Gehl doesn’t mince words in these last few lines before vocals drop off completely. Listeners are left in the open with a few minutes more of purely enjoyable gnarly rock 'n' roll landscape.  Searing guitar riffs and heavy-handed drumming create that unctuous classic rock texture akin to Gehl’s own inspirations in Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. The variation of styles gives us both the chugging rhythm guitar as well as the whiny solos that pierce through every layer of sound. 

True to its message, the artist Paul Gehl himself seems to face the altering conditions of music and life. From a classical and flamenco background, his career turned towards the electric guitar after a serious injury. His solo project started in 2022, and since then he continues to experiment with sounds and stylings in his home studio in Luxembourg. “A Moment in Time” is built with a special blend of analog and digital guitar sounds. Unexpected and encouragingly modern, it's a true testament that those nostalgic sounds of genres gone by still ring true and have more and more to give with each listen. 

The enjoyment Gehl has for his craft is apparent in more than just this track. Regular 5+ minute tracks pepper his steady stream of singles, with many more on the way. A true rocker and consistent artist, I secretly hope Gehl might bust out a full LP soon…maybe in time for next year’s “Rocktober”?

KEEP UP WITH PAUL GEHL BELOW: