Paramore was, and still is in some circles, seen as the band that defined the mid-2000s pop-punk scene. The majority of their popularity can be attributed to lead singer Hayley Williams who has been the heart of the band since their formation. Her poignancy as a singer and songwriter let the group rise in popularity, finding a spot between their pop-punk contemporaries like Fall Out Boy or Panic! At The Disco.
Their previous effort “After Laughter” was released in summer of 2017. This album deviated from their usual teenage and melodramatic pop-punk roots, vying more for a pop-driven 80s-inspired album that faced mature topics like hiding behind a facade of happiness and failing to stay optimistic despite social pressures.
A sound shift like this one was met with critical appraisal at the time and proved that the band can remain popular despite forming 13 years prior.
“This Is Why,” Paramore’s sixth album, is yet another sound change for the band. The title track, which is also the first song on the album, strays away from the pop-punk of prior albums and develops a post-punk sound with a danceable groove.
In the anthemically catchy chorus that contrasts the laidback build of the verses, Williams passionately shouts, “This is why I don’t leave the house/You say the coast is clear/But you won’t catch me out/Oh why?/This is why.” While some listeners could interpret these lines as quarantining during the coronavirus outbreak, a deeper look into the verses shows this song is about diverting from harsh criticisms to maintain good mental health.
Themes of mental health do not stop there, as “The News” critiques the constant flood of pessimistic stories on social media and mainstream news outlets.
“Shut your eyes, but it won’t go away/Turn on, turn off, the news,” pleads Williams in the chorus. Sincere anger and electric performances throw this track over the edge into a new level of energy that can’t be felt in any other song on the track list.
Highlights like “You First” and “Running Out of Time” continue these themes of mental reflection. The former is another punk jam that uses an old parable involving wolves as a metaphor for an internal fight between good and evil. The latter illustrates the difficulties of managing an uncontrollable schedule. “Liar,” “Crave,” and “Thick Skull,” which are all moody and retrospective cuts, help the second half of the record distinguish itself from the loud and angry first half.
On “Thick Skull,” one of Williams most personal songs, she lets out all of her insecurities accrued over the years from critics and haters, making a powerful statement about rampant criticism thrown towards artists.
While far from uninteresting, “C’est Comme Ça” could rework its repetitive chorus since it teeters between being a fun earworm to a downright annoyance.
The spoken word verses are unexpected, but work toward what the song is about, focusing on bettering mental health while remaining ambivalent to outside chaos. Calling this the lowlight of the album sounds harsh, but considering the quality songwriting for all of the other tracks, it is easy to single this one song out for its minor issues.
“This is Why” proves to Paramore’s audience that the band has moved beyond the past, but still has great respect for their origins.
Williams knows how to utilize her anger, opting to take her aggressive adolescent energy, reminiscent of previous albums, and turn it into a force of reflection and analysis.
Despite the polarizing reactions from some fans who criticize the album for deviating from their early sound, Paramore successfully reaffirms their place as one of modern rock’s best groups.
Interested in listening to Paramore’s latest album? Check out the embedded Spotify playlist below:
Alex Ross
Alex Rossis a third-year Communication student at Lock Haven with a focus in Journalism. This is his second year as an active member of the Eagle Eye and has been the Arts and Entertainment editor, News editor, and an active writer. He focuses on writing reviews for the A&E section, but has written stories for news, sports, and opinions. Outside of the newsroom, Alex enjoys record shopping, reading classic literature, and analyzing films. Alex hopes to work for a film or music news site as a writer or editor after graduation.
