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Paramore’s Sugar-Pop Sadness

The fizzy '80s sound of After Laughter belies its lyrical hopelessness.

Excellent article. I've been listening to Paramore since their first album dropped when I was in high school, and I've been a fan ever since. I think a lot of people miss how dark/mature this latest album is. The bright colors and upbeat music are meant to be almost distracting, I think, from what is really going on in the lyrics.
Finding yourself in a place with no answers is terrifying. But it can also be freeing. When there's nothing to defend, all that's left is discovery - for better or worse. It'll probably be at least 3 or so years before we get any more music from them, but I hope they stay on this journey - and do "continue the conversation" in their own way.