This Is Why
by Paramore
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Feb 10, 2023
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 300 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 275 out of 300
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 300
  3. Negative: 10 out of 300
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  1. Sloanxsloan
    Feb 11, 2023
    10
    As a fan since the beginning, the growth here is amazing. From the opening track to the closing moments of the album blew me away. One of their best and most cohesive efforts to date.
  2. estefaniamena
    Feb 12, 2023
    10
    This is album is beyond magnificent. You can perceive so many emotions on every track. I think this album also shows how much they’ve grown up together and how much they love what they do. Loving this✨
  3. Zakataplay
    Feb 12, 2023
    10
    Me encanta este álbum siento que es lo que representa hoy en día la música para ellos y sus sentimientos.
  4. igorvto
    Feb 12, 2023
    10
    Este é sem dúvida o melhor trabalho da carreira da banda. O Paramore conseguiu unir com perfeição todas as suas sonoridades anteriores em um álbum ainda mais profundo e político, mas sem perder a sua refinada maestria. A combinação de letras significativas com uma produção incrível faz deste álbum uma obra-prima da música moderna.
  5. vanderoritchie
    Feb 14, 2023
    10
    "This Is Why" delivers Paramore at their most heartfelt and mature, while still drawing inspiration from new wave, synth pop, and that distinct 70's and 80's revivalist flair they developed on their previous record "After Laughter".
    In many ways, "This Is Why" feels like a creative synthesis for Paramore following their last two projects — "After Laughter" and "Paramore" — as well as each    "This Is Why" delivers Paramore at their most heartfelt and mature, while still drawing inspiration from new wave, synth pop, and that distinct 70's and 80's revivalist flair they developed on their previous record "After Laughter".
    In many ways, "This Is Why" feels like a creative synthesis for Paramore following their last two projects — "After Laughter" and "Paramore" — as well as each members solo endeavors. Especially we see the influence of HalfNoise, the side project of drummer Zac Farro, who have long delved into funk and synth flavors directly inspired by the tones of the 1970s, especially African and Afro-inspired pop like Thomas Mapfumo.
    The vocal performance is skilled and precise, as is to be expected of Williams, who's prowess as a vocalist has always towered high above all contemporaries in modern punk, pop, and new wave. Its lyrics also feel like an evolution of the same theme's lead singer Hayley Williams has been hitting her entire career, especially exploitative and unhealthy relationship, as well as contemporary politics.
    While the theme's remain largely the same throughout the record, Williams' pen shows a newfound maturity that wasn't quite expressed fully in previous projects. Especially compared to their glorious self-titled album (which, while filled with fun explosive songs, often suffered from a feeling of juvenility), Williams' perspectives are fully developed and nuanced in a way seldom seen in modern music. Her thoughts on politics are brought to maturity with the thoughtful, albeit anxious and angry "The News". Williams' commentary on relationships, already meaningful and unique on "After Laughter" is brought to a new high in the record, especially the song "Thick Skull", which features Williams more beautiful, crushing, and nuanced than she has ever been. Other track highlights include "Running Out of Time", an anxious, danceable meditation on anxiety over time management, and feeling that she's prioritizing the wrong things in life. "Big Man, Little Dignity" is the most beautiful track Paramore has written since the emotionally explosive "Brand New Eyes", with a reserved, stark vocal performance, and a cold synth that evokes both disconnect and nature. "Figure 8"'s precise, beautiful, and off-putting orchestration make it a clear highlight. The album has a slight problem with front-loading, although it's consistency and thoughtfulness make even my least favorite track, "Liar", a relative standout.
    This funky, thought provoking music is accompanied by Paramore's new aesthetic, pulling away from both the colorful 80's revival aesthetic donned on "After Laughter" and the neon pop-punk feel they rocked until then. This new visual style, like their music, is mature, yet still steeped in vintage and romanticism, while returning a bit of grit. This style is consistent throughout branding, concerts, album artwork, and music videos, and makes "This Is Why" really feel like a new direction the band is intent on committing to.
    After many years of waiting, "This Is Why" is a strong return from Paramore, delivering perhaps their best album to date. The music feels it's been given the room to develop and time to mature. "This Is Why" is likely to enter the collective music consciousness, and be remembered for years as an instant classic, which will for years feel both new and familiar, beautiful yet bold, heartbreaking yet fun; the kind of duality few albums ever manage to achieve.    … Expand
  6. ma21
    Feb 16, 2023
    8
    teve uma música que eu não gostei muito, mas as outras são ótimas, track 5 perfeita
  7. Paul7036
    Feb 18, 2023
    10
    A fantastic album with no skips. I expected it to be good because I enjoyed the first 2 singles but didn’t expect it to be quite this good! Crave, Running out of time, Big Man Little Dignity & You First are amongst my favourite songs that Paramore have ever released. 9 days after release & I’m still struggling to listen to anything else. It’s addictive. I love how this band have alwaysA fantastic album with no skips. I expected it to be good because I enjoyed the first 2 singles but didn’t expect it to be quite this good! Crave, Running out of time, Big Man Little Dignity & You First are amongst my favourite songs that Paramore have ever released. 9 days after release & I’m still struggling to listen to anything else. It’s addictive. I love how this band have always been able to change/adapt their sound & whatever they do they do it so beautifully! They just keep getting better!… Expand
  8. j444cks
    Mar 1, 2023
    9
    Spectacular album! On first listen my favourites were Big Man, Little Dignity and Thick Skull and within a few days couldn't stop listening to Crave and Liar. Might be my favourite Paramore album yet.
  9. turnturnturn
    Apr 20, 2023
    8
    I’m not the biggest punk fan, nonetheless I still really enjoy this album and the whole experience.
    Hayley Williams performance and vocals were always on point and very touching. The writing is always on point especially on the song “The News” which is about all of the events that have been happening in the past few years and saying to turn off the news.
    The production was always on    I’m not the biggest punk fan, nonetheless I still really enjoy this album and the whole experience.
    Hayley Williams performance and vocals were always on point and very touching. The writing is always on point especially on the song “The News” which is about all of the events that have been happening in the past few years and saying to turn off the news.

    The production was always on point too and always kept me hooked into the songs. Overall, this was a great return from a long hiatus.    … Expand
  10. cristhi4n_95
    Aug 25, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "This is why" is an amazing album from Paramore, the best one in my opinion, this album have my favorite song "you first" great job Hayley, Taylor and Zac… Expand
  11. tylervanderson
    Aug 25, 2023
    10
    Phenomenal album. No skips. Top notch production. Song writing at its best. Deserves awards. Bravo Hayley, Taylor, and Zac!!
  12. Djiko
    Aug 30, 2023
    8
    Easily their best work. Good and not too long album that will interest you into Paramore even more. The only complain I have is the last 2 tracks (which I think are not necessary on this project)
  13. ElMaese
    Sep 10, 2023
    10
    Best album by far, the sound is amazing, the lyrics are beautiful, the start of the album is so hype, the end hits diferent, a true love letter to the fans.
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Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best Album of 2023
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Variety
    Mar 3, 2023
    83
    You get the feeling that Hayley Williams and the rest of Paramore are still looking more outwardly than inwardly — that the wisdom of age has left them wanting for more, and questioning all. And that’s a great look for Paramore.
    Read full review
  2. No Ripcord
    Feb 15, 2023
    70
    Slight missteps do little to deter what is some of the band's most instantly likable tracks in their career, where they turn up one rave-up rocker after the next with wide-eyed fury. Having proven themselves time and time again, they've far outpaced those unwilling to grow up with them.
    Read full review
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 13, 2023
    72
    That dichotomy between the visceral and the lackadaisical defines This Is Why instead of its value as a snapshot of this decade's global chaos, and in that sense, this LP is neither their best nor their "most mature." Regardless, there's nothing to stop you from reveling in this album's own chaotic dynamics, seriousness and passiveness juxtaposed. It's a worthy if mildly disappointing addition to Paramore's canon.
    Read full review
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