Review Summary: With enjoyable, modern-alternative rock sounds and plenty to love about this record, this is why Paramore will continue to age like fine wine and new or old fans will continue to fall victim to their beauty.
In the pop-punk, emo alternative resurgence that has many bands rising from the dead, alternative rock veterans, Paramore have released a masterful addition into the renaissance wild. It has been five years since the band’s last album release, After Laughter, which saw the group reunite with founding member, Zac Farro, and the wait has been well worth it. In the interim, the trio found themselves revisiting nostalgic influences to help shape their latest studio release, This Is Why. The group’s latest is clocked in at just under forty minutes and consists of ten tracks to deliver a powerful sequence of art that addresses the internal turmoil between being one’s own hero and villain at the same time.
Hayley Williams leads the charge on the album with a range that expands from a gentle timbre to a pure, aggravated rock expression in tracks like, “The News” and “You First.” Portraying the backbone of the project, Zac Farro’s expression on the drum tracks for this album adds as a further example that his name needs to be included in the discussion of modern greats as his chops and rhythmic articulation deliver an exceptional performance all throughout. Whether the song calls for complexity in songs like, “Figure 8” or a more delicate approach in, “Liar,” Farro really represents what it means to play for the song. Although previously hinted that this album would see the band returning to guitar driven sound, This Is Why doesn’t hit that mark as the variety that is included on this album has the band pursuing and exploring avenues of natural woodwinds, harmonious drum and bass grooves, and prominent vocal performances. Taylor York’s guitars are in fact present, but not leading in any definitive way that stands out. The band’s latest release features well-polished production that is consistent with natural reverb, great room sound, punchy drums, distinct bass, and passionate vocal clarity. Listening to This Is Why replicates a live performance from top to bottom as the band performs well composed songs supported by natural-feeling studio production filled with variety, and yet nothing feels out of place. With dance enforcing songs like the album’s title track, “This is Why” and catchy alternative, “C’est Comme Ça” to softer performed ballads such as, “Big Man, Little Dignity” and “Liar,” the band explores an assortment of styles that still capture a cohesive, mature sound entirely.
There are many different realms of appreciation that This Is Why encompasses and many will welcome their favorite (or new favorite) alternative rock band’s latest venture with open arms. With enjoyable, modern-alternative rock sounds and plenty to love about this record, this is why Paramore will continue to age like fine wine and new or old fans will continue to fall victim to their beauty.
