Album Review: Hayley Williams - 'Petals For Armor'

This solo debut from GRAMMY-winning Paramore’s Hayley WIlliams is an evocative album which addresses divorce, depression and self-reflection. Raw emotion has been poured into the making of the album. It actually started as a form of therapy for Williams and it is easily one of this year’s best albums. Opener ‘Simmer’ is infectious and starts with distorted sounds and gasping. The lyrics are dark (“Rage, Is it in our veins?”). She has described the track as being about generational trauma and surviving. 

With ‘Petals For Armor’, Williams is emotionally vulnerable.‘Leave It Alone’ is about coping with loss (“If you know love, You’d best be prepared to grieve”). The rage of ‘Simmer’ turns into growth as we get closer to the end with ‘Watch Me While I Bloom’ and the dreamy ‘Crystal Clear’. The songs become less intense and more R&B-tinged. ‘Cinnamon’ is a modern funk track which features vocal mutations. ‘Sugar On The Rim’ has a subtle techno beat and is another fun track. 

‘Petals For Armor’ sees Williams pursuing a new direction with this intimate album. It feels as though she is completely opening herself up for listeners and expressing herself through poetic lyrics. She leaves an impression with her deeply personal eclectic alt-pop. 

Words by Narzra Ahmed

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