Paramore – This is why

Review Score:

B+

The Unprecedented Times –

Feb 10 / 2023

This Is Why is the ideal evolution of Paramore’s sound. Hayley Williams sounds (and looks) as good as ever. Long time fans of the band will hear some of the punk energy from the early 2000s blended nicely across the album with some of After Laughter’s pop sounds. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction taken in their 2017 release. And I am even more pleasantly surprised to see that the band has taken that sound and molded it further to create another project that I expect to enjoy for years to come.

The first half of the album calls back to the band’s early days, with punkier tracks like the titular “This Is Why” and “The News”. But instead of themes of teen angst, these tracks contain some timelier lyrics. “The News” reflects a certain feeling of helplessness surrounding the constant onslaught of tragic world events. We all shake our heads in unanimous disapproval. We donate money to causes inconceivable to those who live in the United States. Williams sounds energized, backed by lively instrumentation on the opening string of tracks.

I became very briefly worried around the time “C’est Comme Ça” came up in the track listing, which I can’t say I found to be as compelling (lyrically and musically) as the rest of the album. Thankfully, “Big Man, Little Dignity” takes a necessary shift in tone, blending woodwinds with the usual mix of percussion and tight guitars. From here on out, listeners will hear hints of William’s solo work sprinkled throughout.

But just because the sharp, more aggressive guitars give way to softer sounds around the halfway point doesn’t mean the album takes a turn for the worse. This Is Why’s more subtle tracks contain some of William’s most thoughtful lyricism yet. One verse from “Crave” struck me as particularly memorable:

I romanticize even the worst of times

When all it took to make me cry was being alive

Look up and see a reflection

Of someone who never gave way to the pain

What if I told ’em that now that I’m older

There isn’t a moment that I’d wanna change?

Hayley Williams makes full use of her impressive vocal versatility. She glides smoothly and softly across tracks like “Liar” with as much ease as she sings the punk and funk tinged “This Is Why”. I wouldn’t call This Is Why a reinvention of the Paramore sound. More accurately, they sound rejuvenated. Hayley, please call me back.

Review Score:

B+

Gubb wrote this review. You can’t get mad at Gubb.