PARAMORE: This Is Why (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Paramore is one of those bands that needs time and inspiration to release a new studio album. Each one is a reflection of the current moods of a collective with something to say, and not an obligatory exercise to honor some contract or remain active at all costs. It took six long years for Paramore to deliver "This is Why" after the sparkling "After Laughter", which stood out in the band's discography for its lightness and pop/new wave aspects.

Paramore's music has always evolved from album to album, even from track to track within the same opus, offering post-punk, pop, emo or alternative rock as the mood takes them. However, there's no such thing as schizophrenia, as the band's identity has always been clear and recognizable, thanks in particular to its strong-willed singer, Hayley Williams, who is known for keeping order during the band's concerts. Paramore's great strength obviously comes from this voice, which gives itself no limits, alternating between sweetness, nervousness and excitement, and even allowing itself a certain dose of naivety ('C'est Comme Ça'), but it also comes from the compositional work, which allows even very short songs to vary moods and play with tensions. Such is the case with the single 'This Is Why', which starts intelligently with a solitary bass and contrasts restrained, airy verses with dry, nervous choruses, ending with a slightly more powerful bridge and a beautiful vocal flight. In 3 minutes 26, everything is said. The same process applies to 'The News' and 'Running Out Of Time', in different moods to avoid any impression of repetition.

Paramore have already demonstrated their ability to slow down the pace with successful ballads, such as the excellent 'The Only Exception'. This is once again the case, with 'Big Man, Little Dignity', which is still quite rhythmic, the very gentle and poignant 'Liar', but above all 'Thick Skull', which has the misfortune of being at the end of the album and starting a little sluggishly, but whose very good finale allows us to appreciate the talent of its singer one last time. As for the other tracks, they recall the band's different periods, the "After Laughter" album with 'Figure 8' and the middle of their career with 'You First' and 'Crave'.

For many critics, "This Is Why" represents the band's maturity. Except that Paramore have been a mature band for some time now. It may not contain an immediate hit like 'Ain't it Fun' did, but it offers a very satisfying overall listening experience throughout, with no weak moments. - Official website

PARAMORE

THIS IS WHY

ATLANTIC RECORDS

ROCK