Paramore is coming back with a new identity

I admit that when I first heard the new Paramore song "Now," I was weary. I knew that two members who were the core of the music had left and that meant a total transformation. When I first heard the song, I was disappointed. It was as though someone had taken Paramore and made them into a 90's band who only sings anthems about "girl power," but then as I listened to the song more,  parts of it began to stick in my head. The first part of the song is a little odd, but when the pre-chorus hits, Paramore is suddenly back. The lyrics: "Lost the battle, win the war. Bringing my sinking ship back to the shore, we're starting over or head back in, there's a time and a place to die but this ain't it," have a great melody that instantly got me singing and the lyrics are easily understandable. The band is the sinking ship and they're coming back; they aren't ready to die off. It's a great feeling to a person like me, who has been a Paramore fan since I was sixteen, to know that Paramore isn't giving up. I've been a fan of the music and of the band members since I first got into music and knowing that they're not giving up yet is awesome.

I can honestly say that Hayley Williams has always been the person I've looked up to. She was this quirky girl in an all boy band, like I was when I was sixteen. To me she was this strong individual who could jump around on stage and be just like the guys,  but at the same time be a girl and love makeup and creating her own style. She's not afraid to laugh at herself or be honest with the people around her. That's why I have high hopes for Paramore's new album. When the band changes and members leave the input changes, and logically the music changes. When something happens to a band that is devastating, wanting to get away from that memory and that music makes sense to me.  I think some of the songs might at first put me off, but when a band changes their sound, that always happens. The great thing is that there is still some old Paramore thrown in as well. I know that as people age their music taste changes, and mine definitely has, but for some reason this band has stuck with me since I was that naive sixteen year old. And something tells me, I'll always be a fan of theirs.

I found this video online of Hayley bringing a fan on stage recently and it made me smile so hard. I know how I would feel if I was that lucky fan that was pulled on stage, so seeing that girl reminded why at the core, Paramore is a fun music loving band who appreciates their fans. Here's the video:


I'm so excited that I was able to get tickets for their show in Manhattan May 16th! I will be that twenty year old that pushes to the front who head bangs and sings along like my life depends on it.

Paramore, I salute you and I can't wait for the rest of the album. I'm glad you're coming back stronger than ever.