Album Review: After Laughter Is Paramore’s Most Danceable Record
Color me shocked when I received Paramore’s After Laughter, and found a completely different sound for the “emolicious” band. Though they do not lose their sentimentality, they have traded in windy chords for tropical synths. Hence, my awe at saying that Paramore is diving into electric, tropical waters, and they are swimming them vibrantly.
Paramore: Hard Times [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
It has been awhile since Paramore has released a new album, of which are most recent memory of their music is the “emo-pop-rocks” that Hayley Williams fizzled and buzzed in her sugared voice. Although the sonic back-drop has changed, Williams’ voice remains signature in offering that ripe blend of amiable and antagonistic. Part of Williams’ allure, as a front-woman, Is that she appears friendly and fiery. Thus, the 80’s inspired synth-waves of “Grudges”, the slight. 80’s hip hop downbeat of “Idle Worship”, and the Miami Vice electro of “Rose Colored Boy” do not deter the paradoxical nature of her vocals. If anything, her voice plays differently with the smooth, brighter instrumentals of “Hard Times” and “Fake Happy”, which are some of my favorite songs on After Laughter. Hearing such a consistent, colorful up-tempo throughout the album may take aback certain fans, but it should not stop them from the enjoying the twinkling keys of “Pool” and the patterned kick-drum of “Forgiveness”. The album is certainly one of Paramore’s most danceable records, yet, it is their lyrics that connect to the classic emotionality of the band.
Paramore: Told You So [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
“No Friend”, “Told You So”, and “Caught In The Middle”, just in title, show you that Paramore will never leave the core feeling that drives their music: alienation. They never stop writing the songs that address how ignored and alone you can feel both with and without others, and they certainly do not step away from the anger of such situations. Yet, I have to say, that their lyricism has matured. There are not of calm and peace both in Williams’ voice and the words of this album. As if there songs before were about staying in your feelings, but now, in After Laughter, they are ready to move on from them, at least, a little bit. Hearing such maturity, along with the new sound, is refreshing and enjoyable, if you give it a chance. Again, not everybody is open to change, but it if it positive and still fun… why not? Thus, buy After Laughter On May 12 By Clicking Here.
