"This Is Why": Paramore's album number six

Their influence evident from Olivia Rodrigo to Soccer Mommy, Tennessee’s emo mainstays return like homecoming heroes on album six, back to reclaim their crown. Elaborating on the springy pop spritz of 2017’s After Laughter, the result arrives frontloaded with enough precision-tooled angst, explosive choruses and diaristic introspection to plaster eyeliner across festivals. 

This Is Why matches paranoia to pugilistic new-wave pop, echoing Talking Heads’ Burning Down The House in Hayley Williams’ “This is why I don’t leave the house...” The News merges vintage Paramore aggro with their more febrile modem mode, talk-sung frolic C’est Comme Ca comes direct from the therapy couch and You First echoes Chvrches in its “final girl" references. The pickings thin out afterwards - vaporous closer Thick Skull practically dissolves - but not before Paramore assert a slick, strident case for their longevity.