This is Why – Paramore ★★★½

Year	Album	Artist	Stars	Score	Genre
2023	This Is Why	Paramore	★★★½	70	Rock	Alternative Rock

Whether it’s the pop punk and emo rock they started their careers with, the pop rock they moved on to in the 2010s, or the harder, more mature alternative rock style they’re enjoying in 2023, Hayley Williams and Co. really know how to make music.

This is Why, Paramore’s first release in almost 6 years, is their loudest record since the early days. It mostly consists of fast-paced, guitar-driven songs with straightforward rock instrumentation and mixing and raw vocals. 

The title track, which serves as the album’s opener and lead single, reminds fans right away how hard the band can go and that they don’t need poppy sound effects or gimmicks to catch your attention.  “Figure 8” is the coolest song here, with a neat repeated circular effect during the verses and a heavy chorus that has some real edge to it. The album’s other stand out is “Crave.” It’s a mid-tempo rock song when compared to most of the others on the record, it has a little more musical depth and color in the mix. Soft verses make the more emotional delivery during the chorus really pay off, while some warmer notes scattered throughout give the song life.    

That more complex mix on “Crave” I think stands out because the majority of the album’s fast tracks lack some color. “The New,” “Running Out of Time,” “C’est Comme Ca” are all solid rock tracks that are structured well and performed with energy, but they’re a bit simple.

“You First” probably does it best because it has a little of that old, pop energy sprinkled on top, which may have been welcome throughout the album.