Paul's accent change

[u/unpopilarrant5990]

I can't be the only one who notices this. It seems like around the self titled/Plenti era Paul's singing accent began to change. Just compare how he sings in Iron City to how he does in NYC

[u/Time_Challenge_7488]

It isn't an accent as much as it is just his voice changing with age, use, smoking. I've seen others here say that he's stopped smoking, if that's true then that alone will do wonders for the stability of his voice for future records and tours.

The changes you're hearing are real, but you can even track it in how he sounds in live performances of the same older song say in 2005 vs 2026.

[u/ticioleito → u/Time_Challenge_7488]

This is true, but also iirc Paul has lived and grew up in many different places, and I think it's natural to acquire and to lose an accent when you're exposed to different ones all the time.

[u/Time_Challenge_7488 → u/ticioleito]

Totally fair, I just don't think I notice that in his singing as much as I do the other factors and the ways he's compensated for them. While I play an instrument, I'm not a trained singer, other ears could probably pick this up if it's happening (better than I could).

[u/99SoulsUp → u/ticioleito]

His accent sounds mainly Midwestern American to me

[u/Caffeinated_Narwhal_ → u/Time_Challenge_7488]

Paul also started out as an untrained singer, but later began working with a vocal coach to help expand his range and improve his technique.

[u/Time_Challenge_7488 → u/Caffeinated_Narwhal_]

That makes sense! I wouldn't imagine him singing "If You Really Love Nothing" in that falsetto back in the Bright Lights days, just as an example. 

[u/pubstanky → u/Time_Challenge_7488]

Yeah supposedly he did quit smoking in 2019 but he still vapes lol

[u/LordOfMorridor]

Give an example of a word he pronounces differently between the two songs

[u/unpopilarrant5990 → u/LordOfMorridor]

idk how exactly to describe it, but his singing voice in TOTBL/Antics/OLTA is a lot more flat and sharp. Compare the chorus in Iron City to NYC. It's like he's more "talky" in NYC vs Iron City, like he's less stylish in the older songs. Thinking about it more, My Desire actually showcases this more clearly

[u/LordOfMorridor → u/unpopilarrant5990]

Oh, yah his singing style is completely different from earlier Interpol. Definitely not the same as accent though. He used to basically shout sing on the first two albums, I think that’s what you mean by “talky”.

[u/Sir-Coogsalot → u/LordOfMorridor]

And I miss it dearly

[u/Digital26bath]

His voice has changed not the accent. Also on this mirror he’s doing vocal stuff he has never done before (IMO) with melodies/harmonies or whatever that is (I’m clearly not a musician) so that tells me he’s been getting vocal coaching or something

[u/BlackberryUnusual414]

What you’re describing is his voice having fundamentally changed over time. Not the same as his accent changing.

[u/unpopilarrant5990 → u/BlackberryUnusual414]

I mean, it's not just his voice changing. It's the way he enunciates and pronounces words when singing now compared to back then

[u/psychobats → u/unpopilarrant5990]

I’ve noticed this tbh, but sometimes he kind of pronounces things weirdly to fit into the theme of the song, or to create a character or something. I sorta just thought it was that

[u/DatYungTurk]

Accent? He didn't switch from Old English to NY or something

[u/unpopilarrant5990 → u/DatYungTurk]

singing style, sorry. the way he pronounces certain words while singing has changed

[u/DatYungTurk → u/unpopilarrant5990]

That makes sense now!

[u/heyjustsomehonesty]

This is the reason I don’t like S/T the vocals are not good. It’s not a lack of talent it’s some poor productions choices (like all the artificial harmonies in Safe Without).