When Paramore released their sixth studio album, This Is Why, in 2023, it lifted a curse that had been hanging over the band for twenty years. Not just because the album was magical, but because it fulfilled a deal signed with Atlantic Records when singer Hayley Williams was just fourteen.
Now thirty-six, Williams was finally in the driving seat. What followed was Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. Her third solo album is her best yet: with 20 tracks, it feels rich and varied, yet cohesive.
Lead single Mirtazapine has the pop-punk sound associated with Paramore, along with Hard and Parachute. Mixed in are songs like I Won’t Quit On You and Whim, which combine a more moody and relaxed sound with lyrics that are just as cutting. There’s really something for every mood. When I feel like having a carefree singalong, I’d put on Ice In My OJ or Good Ol’ Days. When I didn’t get tickets for her tour, I turned to Glum and Kill Me.
True Believer is arguably the peak of the album. Outspoken about social issues and struggling with her faith, Williams – who was brought up in a Southern Christian community – delivered a sermon on hypocrisy within the church. In the song’s live debut, Williams sat behind an orchestra made up of people of colour and listened as the performance ended with strains of Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit. As America slides backwards, it sent a powerful message.
While Ego Death was only officially released in November, most of the songs entered the world back in July. Mirtazapine debuted on a Nashville radio station, before Williams’ hair company got in on the action with mysterious codes issued on purchase of a new dye. These codes led to a website, with 17 mp3 files on a retro desktop background.
But there was no track order. Which means everyone was at a different point when they thought “wait, is this play about Taylor York?”
Williams and her bandmate Taylor York had made their relationship public in 2022, after years of speculation. York had been the glue of the band since joining in 2009, including a spell in 2015 when Williams quietly left and the guitarist was briefly the only member of Paramore. But when Love Me Different began with a verse referencing “friends to lovers”, and ended with Williams repeating “and I want someone to love me different”, we all assumed the worst. York’s conspicuous absence from the public eye, while not unusual for him, did nothing to dispel the rumours that they were done.
However, a screenshot was later released, dated 2017, showing a voice memo called “Love Me Different”. It was actually referring to Williams’ ex-husband Chad Gilbert instead. We could breathe.
But then August 28th hit. Parachute, the hidden 18th song from the album, was released. Devastation everywhere for Paramore fans. It was over.
While York was never explicitly named, the parallels were undeniable. He was at her wedding. They toured in Rio. Their hypothetical daughter may well have had his curly hair. But it seems that’s not happening anymore. At least the song is incredible. A scathing rock track, with a particularly cathartic second verse, it earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance. Thankfully, Williams went on record to compliment York as a musician, and stress that after all this time, Paramore is still a band.
For now, though, the singer is enjoying her time in the sun – finally touring solo in 2026, after COVID ruined her last attempt. Every show sold out in a matter of minutes.
Williams may be doing it differently, but she is doing it so right.
