Never Retallack | Entertainment Editor
Hayley Williams, the frontwoman for the punk-rock band Paramore, released two parts of “Petals for Armor” in February and March and now the final album is ready.
“Petals for Armor” is a 15-song creation of Williams’ diary; the vulnerability and rawness in each song has shocked fans.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Williams commented on the album that “I needed these songs to help me get to a place where I could name my shame, take inventory of emotional scars, true friends, awful coping mechanisms and discover what I desire for my life.”
Her most recent EP released for the album was the song “Dead Horse,” an emotional rollercoaster of her romantic life. The song is powerful and confronts issues of infidelity and expectations, featuring several different versions of herself throughout the song to show her metaphorical growth and changes.
The album is a journey through her emotions, dealing with unmanaged rage in “Simmer” and “Leave it Alone,” and questioning the health of her relationships in “Why We Ever,” “Taken” and “Dead Horse.”
This album is vastly different from her music with Paramore; she takes risks with more funky and abstract beats that showcase her gentle vocals and emotions.
The last song on the album, “Crystal Clear,” is one of my favorites because it is the perfect end to her journey. She talks about broken trust and anger — how she would never be so naive again — and the song simply ends with her saying “I won’t give into the fear. It’s a feeling. I’m still right here.” This powerful line shows that she can work through her fear and continue on in her life, taking risks and proving others wrong.
Overall, the album was a journey for Williams and listeners; the songs have captivating musicality and intense lyrics that make the album a must listen.
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu
Photo courtesy of petalsforarmor.com
