Quarter-Life Crisis: Paramore’s Fans Are Doing Battle, Confronting Mortality Over the Band’s New Pop Sound

Everyone gets older, but Paramore’s fans are at war over the way their beloved band is maturing.

Paramore released “Told You So”, the second single from upcoming album After Laughter, today, and like “Hard Times”, it shows off a poppier, more angular and ‘80s-influenced sound.

The message from the music videos—and Hayley Williams’ haircut—is clear: Paramore’s updated line-up has evolved beyond their early, emo-er days. No complaints here. How irresistible is the hook on “Hard Times”?

As Williams told the New York Times, “We’ve gotten to a point with our new music where we don’t really want to headbang anymore.”

Of course, no one would have accused their older tunes of being thrash metal, which is why a casual visitor to the band’s Facebook page might be a tad confused by the war raging over Paramore’s sonic upheaval.

Among their 26 million hardcore FB fans, a debate has sprung up over their new sound. For some, the band’s betraying their “rock” roots. Others, more philosophically, are reflecting on the fragility of our mortal plane, and are viewing Paramore’s evolution as a reflection of the ceaseless march of time and the transience of their own human existence. Basically: Paramore’s getting older and so are we.

It's an inexplainable feeling when you can feel yourself growing & changing parallel to a band you love. Thank you @paramore for everything.

— Katye 💋 (@PrincessKatye) May 3, 2017

(We should note the average age of Paramore’s members is 27.)

It’s a hell of a thing to behold, and not something Paramore probably expected with their upbeat, radio-friendly tunes.

Here’s the general gist of the complaints:

And here are the existential revelations:

But one fan, responding to suggestions Paramore change its name to reflect the new identity, cuts to the heart of the issue: “I’d like one person to tell me they’re the same [that] they were from when they were 16.”

How do you feel about Paramore’s new sound?

me: i love that i'm growing up with paramore and changing alongside their music
*hears the first second of emergency*
me: pic.twitter.com/u0zWNxi1xO

— emma (@misguidedem) April 30, 2017

After Laughter will be available from May 12 aka the day Paramore’s FB page goes into meltdown.

Photo: YouTube (Paramore)