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Paramore are no strangers to the media. However, within the last few weeks, coverage of this fivesome from Tennessee appears to be in a league of its own. But why, you may ask? Well, it becomes a lot more obvious after just one listen to their newest release, Brand New Eyes, that this band have a got a good lot of explaining to do. As the album they claim to have saved their band, it’s not hard to be curious as to what secrets these songs hold regarding their struggle.

It’s within opening track ‘Careful’ that the bar is set for this new record; its powerful punch is more reminiscent of the band’s early material, but the voice singing is that of a new woman. Hayley Williams lyrics and voice are better than ever, more powerful than ever, more truthful than ever. Her words sound raw, and it’s as though they’ve come from a dark place unexplored, yet she speaks from an experienced point of view. With lines like “open your eyes, like I opened mine; it’s only the real world”, it becomes clear to see how much this band has grown from their shiny and colourful ‘Riot!’ days.

New single ‘Ignorance’, the second track from the album, is incredible. The melody is infectious and sharp, whilst Williams again shines lyrically. Listening to this album, you begin to gather a sense of the painful journey that the band went on to create this, and it is here that it’s perfectly personified. As a listener, it feels almost a little invasive, as the uncomfortable words Williams obviously aimed at her bandmates wash over your ears. Simply the chorus lines of “you treat me just like another stranger” and “ignorance is your new best friend” are cutting enough to show that these painful inspirations were very real. You can almost see their open wounds, not yet properly healed.

But that’s the wonderful thing about this album: the band’s honesty and the band‘s ability to show their scars. It means that nothing feels contrived or unnatural. In fact, this feels like the most natural music they’ve so far created. Some tracks even allow for Williams to experiment vocally, making songs like ‘Turn It Off’ sound more like Tegan and Sara, whilst ‘The Only Exception’ reminds of Eisley. But, obviously, Paramore is not just all about Hayley Williams. This record also allows for the band themselves - brothers Josh and Zac Farro, Jeremy Davis and newly official member, Taylor York - to successfully experiment with new styles; thinking more outside of the typical pop-punk box. The changes in tempo and style mean there is a great balance throughout the album, and the acoustic-based songs - most especially ‘Misguided Ghosts’, which is truly beautiful - provide a few more of those shiver-down-your-spine moments.

However, do not be fooled! This album represents the band’s journey of both breakdown and healing and it’s with track 8, aptly titled ‘Looking Up’, you begin to see a little more of their old positive selves. From this point forward, it becomes obvious why this record saved the band, and the lyrics start to stand for hope; “it’s not a dream anymore, it’s worth fighting for.”

This sentiment is echoed in the brilliantly catchy ‘Where The Lines Overlap’ - a song perfected for those arena show singalongs that are just around the corner - with just seven words: “no one is as lucky as us.” And, as Williams’ sings her lungs out on closing track ‘All I Wanted’, it’s hard to imagine what could’ve happened if this album hadn’t purged Paramore’s sins.

For the last five years, Paramore have gone simply from strength to strength, and now that they’ve redefined themselves as people, a band, and most importantly, friends, this album can allow them to concentrate on what’s most important; that they’re just getting started.