After Laughter - Paramore (2017) REVIEW

After Laughter - Paramore (2017)

Paramore’s fifth studio album is different from the rest, their fourth album ‘Self-Titled’ wasn’t as popular, however ‘Still Into You’ and ‘Ain’t It Fun’ became high charting hits. The band have been an iconic part of the scene since their huge single ‘Misery Business’ came about, but effortlessly detached from that time with this pop-rock 80’s masterpiece. They also reunited with drummer Zac Farro after a seven year absence, now that he’s leading HalfNoise which is primarily pop, unlike their rocky routes.

Introducing the era with the erupting ‘Hard Times’ music video, an explosion of colour and transcending into a pessimistic anthem but sounds like a happy celebration. The track uses infectious hooks and Hayley’s bouncy personality to give this song an electric flavour, just from the music video you can gage the new venture of this ambitious full-length. Singing of anger, betrayal and disappointment, bearing all but still sounding optimistic, ‘I still don’t know how I even survive’ sounds light-hearted and relatable.

‘Rose Coloured Boy’ follows suit in the whimsical, effortlessly vibey 80’s feel. The track is about looking through rose tinted glasses and seeing things in a positive light, rather than seeing things how they truly are. It starts off with ‘Low-key, no pressure, just hang with me and my weather’ which could also be a theme for this album, showing weather in the Hard Times music video and making disappointment sound joyful. This track is full of clever lyrics like ‘I have taken my glasses off’, directly linking to the tinted glasses term. The main theme for the full-length is to portray how there is no shame in sadness and depression, this theme and message is carried throughout the album, clearly portrayed in ‘Rose Coloured Boy’.

The next single taken from this incredible album is ‘Told You So’, a clever old phrase that engulfs us with a change of pace. Glitzy sounding hooks to hypnotise us but somewhat keeping it simple, the marimba leaves the song easy to listen to. Artistically constructed stylish music video, pieces the track perfectly (directed by Zac Farro) - the trio wearing berets and playing the track while cruising around in a car. Hayley flaunts her strong vocals with lyrics ‘Throw me into the fire / And pull me out again’, grooving to these tracks playing them live, demonstrating how she is a true performer.

‘Forgiveness’ is one of the more relaxed tracks on the full-length, focusing on Hayley’s piercing vocals and meaningful lyrics that ooze honestly. Using ‘There’s still a thread that runs from your body to mine’ to remind everyone how hard hitting her lyrics can be, this album is full of them and for definite a huge factor in why the album is so important to many people.

‘Caught in the Middle’ and ‘Fake Happy’ share similar feelings, exuding a brave face that is put on to hide emotions, reassuring the listener in the way they hope someone feels like they’re not alone. Emphasising how ‘If I smile with my teeth, would you believe me?’ is a simple lyric that makes people think of how many times you’ve brushed off someone feeling low. Again accompanied by striking synths and soft guitars to emphasis the lyrical geniuses Hayley Williams and Taylor York.

We indulge into personal track ‘26’, feeling like a trip to the moon and stars but laced with melancholy in ‘Hold onto hope if you’ve got it’. The track is crafted with violins, combined with the knowledge Williams was sitting a Grammy on her kitchen counter, due to get married in September. 26 was the age her depression took a toll. That’s what this track is about, making baby steps to get better even though she was really struggling, writing kept her alive. Hayley exclaims ‘Expression is survival’ which is extremely evident in this track. Heartache continues and feeds into the track ‘Tell Me How’, a soft exploration focused on Hayley’s vocals and lyrical abilities once again.

Diving into ‘Pool’, a beautiful track that everyone loves to hear live and a valued addition to the album, voicing thoughts of struggle through images of pools and ocean. It’s amazing how Hayley uses water as a metaphor for love in this track and how it overwhelms her in ‘But this time you won’t leave me sinking’. This full-length takes us on a journey, being open about mental health and general struggles, an album that everyone needs to guide them.

‘Grudges’ is unlike any track on the full-length, the bridge is what drives the song and emphasises how ‘We can’t keep on holding onto grudges.’ still using a progressive 80’s feel. While ‘Idle Worship’ is about rejecting the heroism pushed on Hayley, the hook is a massive one sounding strangely off and making the track unique. ‘No Friend’ is an afterlude to ‘Idle Worship’, as MeWithoutYou frontman Adam Weiss thunders through the track with spoken lyrics.

Paramore’s studio album ‘After Laughter’ is therapy for a lot of people, helping them feel less alone while mastering the skill of creating a collection of songs that are delicately powerful. Four years on the full-length is just as valuable as when it was released.