26 is great, because I'm 26 and I feel the way 26 feels, and as usual all other opinions that are not mine are irrelevant, even the opinions that are pro 26. Also, they could probably make a pretty good acoustic/softer record/ep if they wanted too.
I too am 26, like the song a lot, but wish it was elsewhere on the album. And the chorus doesn't do much for me.
"26" is one of the best songs of their career and perfectly placed after "Fake Happy". I love that it's an orchestral arrangement and not just a string arrangement.
I sought this thread out to say I listened to this album fully through one day last week, and was truly impressed. I think it's the most cohesive Paramore album to date. It's the most real Hayley has ever been with her lyrics. It's weird to think that though I was never a huge fan of the band, Paramore is a band i've been growing up with, and I felt like I could understand her perspective on songs like Hard Times, Idle Worship and Tell Me How. There is almost this sense of dread delivered with a positive outlook for the future. The classic aesthetic in the music videos and retro sound effects added all just work. They really nailed it. I think i'm in love.
One of the best things about this record is that it feels like the bookend to Brand New Eyes. That was a muscular album about disillusionment where they tried to say everything as loudly as possible. This is a pretty nimble album about disillusionment where they have no problems speaking softly. I'm here for it.
This seems accurate. I couldn't name one mewithoutyou song and I think No Friend is terrible. A lot of the people that enjoy the No Friend reference how they like MWY.
Love mwY but understand they're hard to fully "get". Hopefully "No Friend" at least gets more eyes on them. Still not a fan of "26". Opening to "Hard Times" makes for a great wake up alarm.
Personal favorite on the album for me as well. I won't say that their previous albums are worse, Paramore has had a few style changes along the way. This is the most standout album, in the best ways possible though.
Depends on your taste. This album is definitely very different than anything they've done before (although there are shadows of this sound on their S/T). As I'm sure you know, they were a lot more pop-punk/pop rock oriented before. My advice if you like this album and are curious to hear more would be to work back through their discography. So I'd listen to S/T next. Everyone has different opinions about the best songs on that album (part of what makes it so great), but I'd recommend Grow Up, Last Hope, Still Into You, Ain't It Fun (obviously), Proof, and Be Alone - especially because those are a little more stylistically in line with After Laughter. TL;DR: Yes, all their albums are this good - just in very different ways.
2 spins in. Not great not bad but I think the hype had my expectations SUPER high. Least face: 26 and Grudges Fav: Rose-Colored Boy and Idle Worship.
What's the protocol as far as listing featured artists in song titles? Kind of a bummer that No Friend doesn't add "feat. Aaron Weiss" or something to get his name out there for fans outside the scene.