Despite many doubts about the release of a new album, Paramore ended up unveiling After Laughter on May 12.
The concept is very exciting: in most of the album, there is a huge contradiction. The joyful and pop rhythm against lyrics that expose life's difficult moments. "For all I know, the best is over and the worst is yet to come" sings Hayley Williams on Told You So. Indeed, the singer of the group said that she is fascinated by the moment when, after having a laugh, we stop laughing by wondering what was the reason, the thought, who made us land on earth, who made us stop laughing? That's the concept behind After Laughter.
Hard Times 10/10
Many fans were disappointed by Paramore's change in sound , which is much more focused on pop than rock. The band already had songs such as Still Into You and That's What You Get very pop but the band still remained rock. However, we appreciate diversity and Paramore has never made us dance as much as on Hard Times. With a very funky guitar riff, the chorus is made to be sung by the entire Stade de France repeating "Hard Times! These Lies!". At the same time, the treatment of the Daft Punk vocals at the end of the song highlights the fact that for this album, the sound of Paramore will be very current. Williams expresses his will not to want to fall into a deep depression but with this pearl of pop, impossible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEB6ibtdPZc
Rose-Colored Boy 8.5/10
The intro is very close to the music of the 80s, like Cindy Lauper' s Girls want to Have Fun and there is still a song that will encourage fans to sing with them "Low key! No pressure! Just hang with me and my weather !". This song makes a nice mix of pop and rock and it 's perfect for a summer playlist. However, the lyrics still remain depressive: "Cause I just killed off what was left of the optimist in me". Williams talks about a boy colored pink. On the other hand, inside his soul, it has many nuances.
Told You So 8.5/10
Paramore returns to electronic sounds. The musical bridge after the angry singing of "Say you say you told me!" and the rhythm "Throw me into the fire, Throw me in, pull me out again" makes us dance but while keeping a certain fragility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw-RPm1uOM4
Forgiveness 6/10
The funky spirit is gone to give way to heartache. The voices layered in the chorus appeal to Williams' thoughts that are not ready to forgive. The piece is simple and charming. However, it makes the album lose some strength.
Fake Happy 9/10
The track perfectly represents the concept of the album. This is a hypocritical attitude towards his feelings, especially joy. The break between the beginning of the very soft song accompanied by a guitar with the return of the vibes of the 80s emphasize the "fake", not real, and "happy", joyful side. The bridge of the song is absolutely beautiful. Another gem of the album.
26 8,5/10
More "Fake Happy" here. Williams removes all his masks and reveals his most honest face accompanied by an acoustic guitar and strings à la Hate To See Your Heart Break. It is the ballad of the album that will make more than one person cry and which is also very successful.
Pool 7.5/10
Psychedelic intro. The song could be a child between Forgiveness and Told You So, more directed on the emotional side than the dancing side. The chorus is very airy and appeals to the current of the water "I'm underwater… " or more precisely from the pool. The bridge of the song is very danceable and it is much more effective than the chorus which remains a little soft.
Grudges 7/10
An intro that refers us to a video game but that disappears to make way for the song most faithful to the sound of Paramore's departure, certainly the pop rock side. This time, the funky, 80s and electronic side is no longer present (except for the beginning). This song is there to say that, despite the change in sound and image, Paramore is still the same.
Caught In The Middle 7,5/10
The funky guitar is more than present and the chorus enters the head from the first listen and we perceive a slight reggae vibe that accompanies it. Williams sings forcefully which makes the song very dynamic. It's not the best track on the album but it won't disappoint you.
Idle Worship 9/10
Yes, I do. Yes and Yes! Another gem of the album. It's danceable, it's rock, it's pop, it's what we want to listen to. Williams sings in the chorus much more detached, less bound than usual, which gives him a percussive side to the voice. A marvel.
No Friend 6/10
Here, we listen to the experimental side of Paramore. Williams is no longer the lead singer but Aaron Weiss of mewithoutYou who talks about the history of the band using old lyrics from Paramore's songs. Moreover, his voice is in the background and we could even consider him as a kind of preacher in the piece. Interesting but it's obvious that Paramore's impact is due to Williams' voice and talent.
Tell Me How 7/10
The ballad that closes the album. Piano, percussion and a purely pop chorus constantly repeating "Tell Me How I Feel About You Now?". A good choice to end the album: neither too quiet nor too noisy.
Conclusion
7,5/10
Paramore made an album extremely faithful to the concept of "The After Laughter", in other words the after laughter and has appropriated its new aesthetic by always remaining Paramore. There are some very good songs especially Hard Times, Fake Happy and Idle Worship. Paramore made a risky decision regarding the change in sound and aesthetics but took it well. The strength and dynamism of the album are lost at times but it is always very satisfying to listen to.