Hayley Williams gives new insight into Paramore's first album in five years

Alt-rock group Paramore announced they were back in the studio working to complete their first album in five years. This will be their sixth studio album following their 2017 release, After Laughter.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, lead singer Hayley Williams said the project feels like a new beginning for the group. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter released her debut solo album, Petals for Armor, in May 2020.

“It’s really exciting because the three of us [Williams, Taylor York, and Zac Farro] have completely different strengths when it comes to creating. It’s making the music and just the whole process of making a Paramore album feel completely new,” Williams said.

In 2020, Williams teased that the group would be making a return to their guitar-led roots. However, after continuing to work on the project, the frontwoman said it may not be the “comeback ‘emo’ record” they had anticipated.

“I’m always waiting for the moment for us to know we’re onto something new and we’re not just rehashing the same shit,” Williams said. “It’s not about it feeling like a hit so much as it’s a scary, exciting feeling that you’re treading uncharted waters. It keeps you curious. We got to feel that feeling early on this time.”

This still-untitled project will be the first album completed by Williams, York, and Farro after many configurations throughout the band’s history.