Paramore’s lead singer, Hayley Williams, has been in the music industry since her early teen years. Williams first started the band when she was only 16. After the release of the band’s 2017 album, Paramore went on a hiatus they have yet to return from. As of 2020, Hayley Williams has released her own solo music — an EP titled “Petals for Armor.”
Paramore
Paramore is the reason I am so invested in music. They are one of the first bands I started listening to back in middle school. Lead singer Hayley Williams’ vocals and edgy style drew me into the alternative scene at the ripe age of 11.
Aside from getting me into the alternative scene, Paramore is one of the few bands that inspired me to become a musician myself. I looked up to Williams for a good majority of my life, and I continue to look up to her, even as I approach adulthood.
It is enough to take your breath away, especially when you learn that Williams’ was only 18 at the time the album was recorded.
— Op-ed Editor Rachel Laposka
Williams has always been such a strong, well-known woman in the music industry. Her band defined the lives of countless teenagers going through their self-proclaimed “emo phase.”
Not only is she a strong female role model, but Williams’ vocal range is absolutely insane. In the band’s second full-length album, “Riot!,” Hayley Williams shows off her belting range in nearly every single song. It is enough to take your breath away, especially when you learn that Williams’ was only 18 at the time the album was recorded.
My favorite album by Paramore is “Brand New Eyes,” it is jam-packed with emotional lyrics and powerful vocals.
“Careful” stands out to me the most on the album. “Careful” is about finding your own place in the world and breaking free from the machine that is society. The lyrics talk about building your own reputation and going your own way in life, rather than mindlessly following others around in hopes to fit in.
The instrumentals of this song are fast-paced and edgy — perfect for angsty teens growing up in the mid-2000s. What really does it for me is the drums. They add just the right amount of oomph to the song, helping the rest of the otherwise harsh instruments blend together.
The message of the song is a raging plea to “reach a little more” in order to figure out where you truly belong. As far as the vocals go, they are normal for Paramore, which is to say they are nothing short of extraordinary. Williams’ belting is effortless and blends smoothly with the rest of the song.
Although Paramore is rumored to no longer be a band after their social media silence following the release of their 2017 album “After Laughter,” the band still remains a staple in the alternative community with an ever-growing fanbase.