Album Review: Paramore - Paramore

Straying from their punk roots may just be the best thing Paramore have done. While they still have some sharp and rebellious songs, this is much more an alternate rock album, with immaculate production causing the alternative sound to morph into a pop wonderland.

Opening track, Fast In My Car, could have fitted on any of their previous three albums, as it's distorted and angsty, which you expect from the fiery Hayley Williams. Grow Up begins with Williams doing a rap-like verse, and the instrumentation is along the lines of that by Sleigh Bells; short, sharp, dancey, but a darkness and heaviness is apparent, too. The electronic-sounding synth makes an appearance, providing the first obvious pop moment on the album.

Their sound is not consistent, nor has it ever been. They have been classed as emo, and in some songs, yes, Paramore are emotionally charged, but this album is so varied with vague and half-arsed attempts at reggae and blues, but in all three short interludes, they are structured around a ukulele, that are simplistic yet effective. In other places there are all-out pop tunes, such as Still Into You, that would not be out of place on a P!nk or Avril Lavigne album. There is no consistent theme occurring, giving the listener the impression that the album may have been rushed and slapped together with the best songs of the sessions.

Whether this was how Paramore intended their fourth album to sound or not, it shows sparks of brilliance and diversity among the similarly structured songs to those that created their popularity and fame many years ago. Maybe this puts them on a path to where they want to one day end up.