All The Wilted Women

Hayley Williams “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris”

The first time I heard this song I had no idea who it was by, and was legitimately shocked to discover it was the singer of Paramore, a band I’ve never had any affection for in either their emo phase or their pivot to boppy pop a few years ago. Whereas the songs Williams recorded with that band tended towards sledgehammer dynamics and guitar/keyboard tones I can only describe as “overwhelmingly corporate,” this new single has a more delicate feel and a very “120 Minutes” atmosphere. I hear traces of Siouxsie, Throwing Muses, The Cure, and early Björk in this, but also a lot of Radiohead circa In Rainbows. The shift in aesthetic suits Williams well, and the more pensive tone and loose groove give space for greater lyrical nuance and subtle harmonies with the members of Boygenius, who guest on the track. I’m particularly fond of the way all four singers hit the fourth utterance of “roses” or “lotus” in the chorus, with the unusual emphasis making the melody pop out more than it would otherwise.

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