Five years since the release of their fifth studio album “After Laughter,” Paramore makes a glorious return to the music scene with a new single, “This is Why.” The music video premiered Sept. 28, 2022 and sent waves through various social media platforms, exciting former fans and avid music listeners alike.
The video was filmed in Malibu, California and emulates a retro 70s aesthetic set behind a slightly grainy filter. Dressed in stylish attire, band members Hayley Williams (notably sporting orange hair that calls back to Paramore’s early days), Taylor York and Zac Farro populate idyllic landscapes.
Williams starts the song off with a strong admonishment: “If you have an opinion, maybe you should shove it, or maybe you should scream it, might be best to keep it to yourself.” Being in the critical eye for almost two decades has no doubt hardened the band members. The pressure of creation and the toll fame takes are main reasons why the band decided to enter a four-year hiatus to spend time on themselves and with loved ones.
Popular critic Anthony Fantano, known for his wide-spanning music takes on his YouTube account “The Needle Drop” and website of the same name, spoke of the band’s new release on TikTok. Poking fun at the very message of the song to keep certain opinions to yourself, Fantano ultimately relays his praise, much to the delight of Paramore’s fans.
“Survival of the fittest,” Williams mocks, before adding, “you’re either with us or you can keep it.” The band is known for supporting important causes like the BLM movement, LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness; the latest cause is abortion rights, as a dollar from each ticket sale of their upcoming tour will be donated to ARC Southeast, an organization that works to provide safe abortions and reproductive care.
The band’s frontwoman takes a clear stance: stand on the side of good or move out of the way.
In a letter to fans, Williams comments on their need for a break, and the sense of duty they feel in trying times like these to use their platform and make music that can help people.
The most prominent theme of the video appears to be perception and performance. Multiple scenes of the music video show the members in stilted, superficial poses, before zooming out to reveal a sharp pair of individuals behind a camera, filming them.
These scenes are broken apart only by shots of York and Farro jamming out on their instruments and Williams dancing around in a wild manner, a visual, musical rebellion where they regain control instead of a passive existence of being filmed.
The filming of being filmed paired with the lyrical content presents intriguing concepts to grapple with.
Another significant scene is Williams applying lipstick while looking into a handheld mirror. Instead of orange locks, her hair is now a mix of orange, blonde and brown, seemingly symbolizing conflicting states of being—all the people she’s been before and the different roles she plays in life.
The last 30 seconds are quiet and end with a slow zoom into Williams, lipstick caking her face, staring emptily at herself in a long mirror and subsequently at the viewer viewing her viewing herself … trippy!
Paramore’s latest tour kicked off in Bakersfield, California on Oct. 2. Their new album is set to release Feb. 10, 2023. You can watch the music video below: