Paramore’s ‘After Laughter’ is surprisingly familiar pop

Pop-rock trio Paramore released After Laughter on Friday, May 12, and it boasts some very familiar sounds — but not familiar for Paramore.

Paramore’s first record in four years, After Laughter, sounds radically different from any previous Paramore album. Though the band usually reinvents itself on every new effort, After Laughter is a huge pivot.

Following in the tracks of former labelmate Fall Out Boy, Paramore takes on a much more electronic-based sound on After Laughter. The pop-rock sound that often waffled between harder rock and poppier punk is gone. In its place is a bright, bubblegum sound that belongs in a John Hughes film.

The callback to 1980s pop is unexpected. Paramore has always thrived the most on its harder tracks. “Misery Business,” their breakout single from 2007’s Riot!, was a stinging pop punk track with gritty lyrics and vocals to match. “Ignorance,” from 2009’s Brand New Eyes, was equally biting.

After Laughter is all sunshine. “Hard Times” kicks things off, and every track after hits the same beats. Aside from a handful of gems, this record blends into one big dance party. It’s hard to tell when one song ends and another begins.

“Fake Happy” stands out, as it’s slower and moodier than its companion tracks. “26” follows hot on its heels, acoustic and soft, closer to Paramore’s historic sound.

The only thing that remains truly the same is vocalist Hayley Williams’ lyrical prowess. After Laughter, despite its bubbly sound, is still full of darkness.

"If I lay on the floor, maybe I’ll wake upAnd I don’t pick up when you call‘Cause your voice is a gunEvery word is a bullet holeShot a hole in the sunIf I never look up maybe I’ll never notice— Paramore, “Forgiveness”"

On some level, the dichotomy between lyric and overall sound works well. On another, these lyrics seem like they would work better in a much different setting.

Likewise, Williams’ vocals suffer. Aside from some funky, gritty screaming on “Idle Worship”, she often sounds lackluster. Against a backdrop of electro-pop, her signature sound isn’t nearly as powerful. Given that her vocals are arguably Paramore’s most identifiable feature, that’s disappointing.

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Paramore went through yet another member shakeup prior to releasing After Laughter, which may account for the change in sound. Bassist Jeremy Davis left the band in 2015 and drummer Zac Farro, who left in 2010 alongside brother Josh, came back.

Whatever the reason, After Laughter is nothing like the old Paramore. While that doesn’t have to be a bad thing, in this case, it also isn’t great.