THE SAFEST SPACE FOR MY UNSOLICITED OPINIONS

Dear Paramore,

Quick flashback to my puberty period, I was a perplexing weird teenager when you came out with ‘All We Know is Falling’ debut album, made that emo-rock-punk soul out of me, though I was, and I am still am, actually no buff of any very specific genre. Now I can proudly claim myself as a hysterical fangirl admiring your band—the one I’ve grown up with after all this time—has been a huge part of my life since 12 years ago.

Your songs sing to me like a bunch of honest opinions in simple, sometimes sharp, contemplative writings. They underline the harsh reality that, in this life, not everything is cool and going well, but we can still manage behaving the fun with it. I’m not a music magazine expert who praises, criticizes, or reproves musicians, but that’s the way I see you, not forgetting to mention I’ve also always been in awe of Hayley, who shines bright in this male-dominated rock music industry with her A-list vocal and energetic live performances whose positive buzz I’d like to feel relatable to as a young woman.

I used to sing your songs with my former so-called band in the past on stage. So glad to remember all the moments how happy we were after those gigs and performances. I did even write lame lyrics inspired by ‘Decode’ and ‘When It Rains’ that were once locked in my diary. Should I spoil another fact that back in 2011 you were the VERY first concert I went to?

Enough with the nostalgia. Your latest ‘After Laughter’ was suddenly out just two weeks before my 25th birthday. No need to ask if I was hyped or not, because all I do now is listen to the whole album and this too surely includes zillion acts of sing-along.

Let’s start with the chorus of this album’s first single. Optimistic sound, sad doleful anthem, a paradox of super catchy tune and deep meaning that approaches me with somewhat mixed feelings. ‘Hard Times’ absolutely speaks to me, making me believe that beautiful sadness isn’t a myth and getting tortured by daily anxiety is something many people go through. We’re all longing for a sense of comfort in the midst of burden and absurd scale of confusion.

Another one, ‘Rose-Colored Boy’. The song reminds me of some moments when I used to feel that all the people around me seemed very determined, purposeful and so sure of what they were doing with their lives, full of exclamation marks, while all I ever did was belittle myself and couldn’t find the lost self-confidence I once had. I didn’t exactly know which one was the best seed, between what I wanted and what I needed. Yes, low key, no pressure.

Then comes ‘Fake Happy’ that sounds like something that I have been through in recent years. Contrary to the thought of what other friends and people think of me as a cheerful and independent spirit, I’ve had serious doubts, unstable self-image, and never-ending actions of overthinking. It’s just completely frustrating to always try to look fine while keeping the words against yourself. No wonder I once felt so hated, overlooked, misunderstood, sadly, by myself.

If I can make my personal journey of your albums, ‘All We Know is Falling’ is an introduction, ‘Riot’ is my absolute rebel stage (subjectively speaking, my most favorite during my adolescence), ‘Brand New Eyes’ is newer fresh era, self-titled ‘Paramore’ is an experience of growing up to be a more mature adult and wants to look ready for embracing reality, then your latest album is an endearing transformation. The fifth finally makes rediscover one thing I always believe: music helps. It gives a lot of encouragement when I have to deal with a difficult period that includes my bubbly shinning shimmering overthinking thoughts, a lack of satisfaction in myself, a difficulty putting in trust and commitment, making me finally experience the way music relates to you can be a magical empowerment in your difficult days and very good for your mental health.

‘After Laughter’ makes me so grateful for knowing I am not alone. Things on the world might seem a poor fit, but I won’t let them crumble my spirit. Life is definitely a one-time chance, so we had better stay in love with it (I’m not making these rhymes on purpose).

Some have said this brand-new music you make is a sign that you’re no longer the old Paramore, the band we have known you for. I have to agree. You’re a lot different now…..but in a good way. You guys are evolving, and so is myself. Ain’t it fun we grew up and overcome the hard times together?