“What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” Borrowing the monumental last lines of a Charles Bukowski poem, Sam Pace’s new single underscores the way you behave during challenging times defines your true character. It’s that simple. Yet sadly, decent decorum has been completely disregarded contributing to appalling, irresponsible, disheartening conduct, negatively impacting society. Thankfully, all hope is not lost. Pace’s new track, “What Matters Most,” propagates a critical message.

Charged from its onset, Pace’s commanding tone initiates the rousing song, chanting, “What matters most.” He is accentuated by the Gilded Grit’s baritone voices echoing key parts of the chorus. The instrumentals have a buzzy build up before becoming purely electrifying. The drumbeats are lively, loud and constant. Fullness is denoted in their power as well as precision. The distorted guitars are funky, clearly inspired by the 70’s but also have an 80’s, hair band feel, mirroring groups such as Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.

Pace and his band collaboratively conclude by stressing, “Well. Well, well, well, well. That you walk through, walk through, talk, talk through ya. What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” It's soulful, almost preaching like elements are appropriately calling for an evaluation of our core. Can you stand behind your behavior? Does your demeanor represent who you want to be? Are you the best version of yourself? In this intensely polarized environment, I wager many of us answered no. It’s time to practice as well as apply “What Matters Most.”