From emo to alt-rock to ‘80s synth, Paramore has done it all; now, after a five-year hiatus, they’re stepping into an interesting new genre of horror-rock. Released on Jan. 12, “C’est Comme Ca” is Paramore’s fierce new single from their upcoming album This is Why.
While the ‘80s-fueled After Laughter was an admirable shift for the three-piece, it feels like a breath of fresh air to see my favorite band inch their way back to their rock roots—but with a modern, slightly eerie twist. “C’est Comme Ca” begins with a neat intro full of oscillating power chords, a clean, satisfying drumbeat, and an electrifying bassline, which is why I was unprepared for the jarring transition into the chorus.
The chorus lacks melodic and lyrical variation, as lead singer Hayley Williams merely repeats the phrase “C’est Comme Ca” four times. They even threw in a slew of “na na na’s” after each line, making a mediocre chorus even worse (after all, My Chemical Romance did it best).
This repetitive style of songwriting has inched its way into some of Paramore’s best songs, like “All I Wanted” and “The Only Exception.” But in contrast, the chorus of “C’est Comme Ca” is chaotic and clumsy.
And while I’m not exactly digging it, I do appreciate the artistic decision to fuse a frantic melody with anxious lyrics to foster a feeling of impending doom.
Williams prowls her way through each verse with spoken word, a style previously seen on their experimental track “No Friend” from After Laughter. Her voice is deep and bewitching, juxtaposing the chorus’ sharp vocals that sound like something from an anime intro. If anything, this shows Williams’ extraordinary range, which continues to impress decade after decade.
The best part of “C’est Comme Ca” is the bridge, where Taylor York’s bouncy guitar riffs fit like a puzzle piece with the classic Zac Farro drum groove. In fact, the instrumentals are where this song truly shines.
York even sneaks some brisk acoustic guitar strums in the verses and pre-chorus, a detail I initially overlooked without headphones. Meanwhile, the bracing bassline may just be the electric current that revives a flat chorus.
“C’est Comme Ca” follows in the footsteps of the titular album song “This is Why,” which encapsulates the pressures of existing in the public eye, and “The News,” a relevant political commentary on the anxiety associated with watching catastrophic current events on the news.
While “C’est Comme Ca” is my least favorite of the three singles, it fits well with Paramore’s recent discography and is a great example of the band’s maturation. So far, I’m fairly satisfied with the new music this trio has thus far put out.
“C’est Comme Ca,” a French phrase that roughly translates to “it is what it is,” is equally as edgy as the first two singles. In the second verse, Williams sings, “I’m off caffeine on doctor’s orders…lucky for me I run on spite and sweet revenge.” Meanwhile, “This is Why” claps back at a critical world with the opening line, “If you have an opinion / maybe you should shove it.”
As Williams explained in a press release, “The idea of imminent doom is less catastrophic to me than not knowing anything about the future or my part in it. The guys and I are all in much more stable places in our lives than ever before. And somehow that is harder for me to adjust to.”
These singles give the air of a band who have been burned by a cold world and even colder people. It is in this way it shares themes from their third (and best) album, Brand New Eyes, which explored the tense relationships between former band members. In fact, “This is Why” reminds me of “Playing God” off Brand New Eyes, a cutthroat anthem against critical, controlling, and opinionated people.
So, while Paramore have always sung about spite and revenge, this time they’ve returned with a more mature angst. Once again, they have taken this universal slice of the human experience and concocted a musical balm for those who need it most. As they continue to thrive in their thirties, this trio has finally returned to tell the world that they’re done with life’s bullshit.
