If you had an emo phase in middle school (even if you were only a poser), you probably liked at least one of these bands: Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Marina and the Diamonds, My Chemical Romance, or Panic! At The Disco. At one point in time, you probably belted out “Misery Business” in the car and thought you gave Hayley Williams a run for her money.

It was no wonder that social media exploded with joy last fall when Paramore announced that they would be releasing a new album in 2023.

Elder emos such as myself would have the chance to once again relive Paramore’s glory days through their new music. However, what makes “This Is Why” even more remarkable is that it is the band’s first album in 5 years following the release of “After Laughter” in 2017.

Hot off the heels of solo works “Petals for Armor” and “Flowers for Vases/Descansos,” Hayley Williams clearly came armed and dangerous with catchy and memorable lyrics and the powerful vocals she has become known for since Paramore’s inception.

Many artists, such as Billie Eilish (who performed “Misery Business” with Hayley Williams at Coachella) and Olivia Rodrigo, cite Paramore as a musical influence. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention some of Paramore’s influences as well.

The Talking Heads and general ‘80s New Wave influences are apparent throughout the album, especially on the album’s third single, “C’est Comme Ca.” Like the rest of the album, “C’est Comme Ca” (translated to ‘That’s the way it is’) describes the post-pandemic restlessness that many people have dealt with, in spite of the monotony in their daily routine.

“C’est Comme Ca” and other tracks on the album display a strong New Wave influence. Some standouts in that regard are “This is Why” and “Running Out of Time,” which reminds listeners of their previous album “After Laughter.”

Guitarist Taylor York and drummer Zac Young provide a punchy, yet tight sound reminiscent of Fun Boy Three and other New Wave artists.

However, listeners who want to be taken back to Paramore’s glory days certainly aren’t left out. “The News” is a rocker in the line of “Born for This” and “crushcrushcrush” and a welcome treat.

Overall, “This Is Why” reflects a more mature sound for a band that was the soundtrack of many Millennial and Generation Z misfits’ teenage years. This is Paramore as we know it, but all grown up.