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Unfortunately, it'll most likely get worse over time (assuming that's what's happening). If the beers are pretty young, give it time to let the yeast clear out completely and flavors to come together before you pronounce them oxidized. But, wet cardboard generally means oxidation. Hope that's not the case.
Are you sure it's not an infection? Early oxidation that extreme sounds unusual unless you drastically changed your process.
Are you simply picking up muted malt aromas/flavors in the beer, or is it more intense along the lines of a funk?
If it smells like wet cardboard/paper then that is most definitely oxidation. I pick up on that pretty quickly in beers. Some styles can handle it, while others don't fare so well.
Did you dry hop the pale ale? I've had papery oxidation from whole hops before, even new unopened packages.