Five and a half years and a couple side projects later, the Tennessee based pop-punk elder statesmen breathe a new life and energy on their 6th studio album.

It shouldn’t be possible for Paramore to still be here. Most of their Warped Tour alum have either disbanded or have long since become obscure relics of a bygone era. They themselves have gone through several lineup changes and controversy – from members leaving, to members coming back. In fact, This Is Why is the first Paramore record that sports the same exact lineup as it’s predecessor since 2011’s Brand New Eyes; vocalist and frontwoman Hayley Williams, drummer Zac Farro, and guitarist Taylor York. Paramore has also faced the likes of legal battles and homophobic rants by former members, that very well could’ve derailed the band as we know it. However, despite all of that, Paramore has persisted. And not only that, they’ve thrived. It could certainly be argued that Paramore has somehow gotten better with each subsequent release. In many ways, This Is Why is no exception to that rule.

In the years since Paramore released After Laughter in the spring of 2017, Hayley Williams released two solo records: Petals for Armor and FLOWERS for VASES / descansos. In those two albums, Williams explored themes of isolation, making peace with solace, and learning to love again. This Is Why, however, feels a little less personal, and instead more observational. The band has become acutely aware of the world around them, and how it’s changed over the past few years, as well as their place in it. Though, that’s not to say that there aren’t any deeply personal tracks here. “Figure 8” comes to mind, which almost reads like a sequel to 2017’s “Pools”. But, the opening and titular track “This Is Why” followed by “The News” make it clear that Paramore is making a statement about the current state of affairs we find ourselves in.

Fear seems to be a prevalent theme throughout This Is Why. In an interview with NME, Taylor York states, “For me, this is the scariest record we’ve ever made. We’ve always had this underdog mentality. But when we took a break more people discovered our band. Streams went up. I feel that pressure more than ever. There’s this energy of proving ourselves.” In the closing track, which was actually the first one written and recorded for the record, this becomes apparent. Williams sings, “Only I know where all the bodies are buried / thought by now I’d find ’em just a little less scary / might get easier but don’t get used to it / keep on autopilot“. The track screams of self doubt and blame, of the insecurities Williams and the band feel regarding their career. This vulnerability helps put the audience in the mindset of the band over the past few years.

Ultimately, This Is Why is another sonic departure from After Laughter, which itself was a sonic departure from any of the band’s previous works. The band is more open to exploration than ever. And while This Is Why does feel like a natural progression, it also reads like a band that’s long since forgotten to be hesitant of taking risks, for better or for worse (but mostly for better). While this may alienate some longtime fans, others will find that the spirit of Paramore is still there underneath, and arguably stronger than ever. This Is Why is a testament to why Paramore has outlasted most of their contemporaries, and why they’ve transcended music to become role models.

The back half of the This Is Why is definitely the stronger portion of the album. From “Big Man, Little Dignity” onwards, it’s some of the best music in the band’s discography, with “You First”, “Figure 8”, and “Thick Skull” being standouts. However, while the opening track, “This Is Why” is a bombastic triumph and a great way to kick off the record, the subsequent three songs struggle to keep that momentum going (though I do actually enjoy “Running Out of Time”). But once that train finally does get rolling again, it never wavers off track again.

It’s been nearly two decades since the trio that makes up Paramore met. Their bond predates the band, but the band has strengthened it. In the same NME interview, Williams states, “Paramore is a huge part of our friendships, but it’s about what’s underneath. It’s the fact that we bond over artistic and creative activity and the compulsion to make things.” You can really tell that beyond bandmates, these are three friends (two of whom are now lovers) who genuinely care for each other. That can be heard in the music itself and felt on stage during their live shows. This is hard to replicate, and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Plenty of well known and respected bands ended up hating each other by the end, and their music suffered for it. Paramore, at a point, certainly looked like they were heading down that path. But, as it stands right now, it looks like they’ve currently got it right.

Rating: 8.7/10

-Devyn Tammons