Hayley Williams has released a new song called “Parachute.” More importantly, she’s also put out an entire album titled Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. Before anything else, I strongly suggest giving the whole album a listen. There are some real gems in there, but today I’ll be focusing on “Parachute,” her latest release.

The album feels like a perfectly mixed bag of sweets. Every song is different—“Parachute” included—yet they all work together as a cohesive whole. Hayley is one of the most prolific artists of our time, having released music with Paramore for what feels like forever while also building an impressive solo career. When I think about the sheer number of songs she’s contributed to, it almost feels unbelievable—not because an artist couldn’t release that much music, but because the quality of Hayley’s output never dips. That’s what truly astonishes me.

“Parachute” feels like the perfect track to close out this album. I’m not sure if the metaphor fully works, but it feels like the song “catches” the record. The thing is, the album was never falling in the first place. Still, “Parachute” carries some of that Paramore DNA while also sounding organic—built on a traditional setup of drums, bass, guitars, and Hayley’s signature vocals. The verses are laid back, almost folk- or indie-inspired in their phrasing. Naturally, there’s still a touch of pop punk, but Hayley weaves it in so tastefully that it always works. Personally, I grew tired of pop punk around 2012, but I’ve never grown tired of Hayley’s writing. The chorus, meanwhile, is driven by a strong electric guitar line.

I also love the way the song shifts dynamically and, of course, the way Hayley delivers her vocals. The credits for “Parachute” go to Hayley Williams, Daniel James, and Steph Marziano—with Hayley clearly taking the lead. To finish the track, there’s even a breakdown section that briefly shifts genres, keeping things exciting until the end.

I highly recommend checking out “Parachute,” but make sure you listen to the entire new album first.

“Parachute” carries some of that Paramore DNA while also sounding organic—built on a traditional setup of drums, bass, guitars, and Hayley’s signature vocals.

 

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!