Paramore Re: This Is Why (Remix Album Review)
In 2023, Paramore's "Re: This is Why" emerges as a follow-up compilation to their sixth studio album, "This is Why," akin to a nostalgic era of reinvention. Transformed by the tumultuous early 2020s, the august Fueled By Ramen trio harnessed the societal turmoil and pandemic-fostered misgivings to craft a collection of follow-ups that shimmered with urgency and charm, similar yet distinguished from the enduring anthems of post-pop punk.
The band resounded with newfound vitality, infusing their caustic, tattooing hooks with a sense of impending self-destruction smoldering each note into dulcet smoke. "Re: This is Why," aptly reimagines this epoch by channeling the catalog over to the creatives within Paramore's province. It's an exciting and experimental fusion of indie acts such as Panda Bear, The xx’s Romy, Remi Wolf, and emerging talents like Claude and The Linda Lindas.
Some artists have meticulously traced the hems of these tracks, stitching their characters with soft, fine lines and adorning them with fresh textures, while others have boldly replanted them from seed to petal.
In the remixed rendition of "The News," The Linda Lindas imbues the track with a fuzzy overdrive in a pouty, riotous spirit, delivering a thick argumentative revolution that is both electrifying and intriguing.
The English duo, Wet Leg, lends a psychotic edge to "C'est Comme Ça," reinvigorating its unconventional token and frenzy vibe. This complication is kinetically disordered, encapsulating a vehemence beyond traditional artistic norms. It weaves together a hushed, witty European underground complexion, drawing listeners into a realm where tradition meets avant-garde innovation. Wet Leg vocalist Rhian Teasdale melts into “C'est Comme Ça” concealing the chorus into a secret with layered strings and loose vocals. The song initiates a stimulating conversation daring to challenge the norm with a psychedelic, angsty rebellious frame.
28-year-old Julien Baker commands her signature moody and unconventional tones gripping "Thick Skull” with blacked fingertips as her industrial slices sharply etch the words "nothing for me." American-born and England-raised Bartees Strange redefines "Figure 8," in a free-falling spellbind that is both dazzling and non-conformist, leaving you intoxicated by its refrain, savoring every drop.
"Running Out Of Time (Re: Zane Lowe)" is a chic, silver-stained masterpiece; a conversational anthem dancing with a dark, velvet allure. This retro grab is layered in black metallic leather, exuding a cool-toned sophistication with a sharp edge. Its temperament is palpable, invoking the moody atmosphere of a dimly lit club, where thick smoke and the sweltering ash of cigarettes smother the air. The sheer radio vocals add a touch of timeless elegance to this compilation weaving a mesmerizing blend of vintage glamor and contemporary charisma.
The album is a tribute to the transcendence of social constructs, bravely delving into a glamorous cohesion of progressive 80's funk. Vast, pristine vocals dance alongside dreamy melodies, painting an immersive translucent landscape. At the heart of the album is Paramore's demo version of the previously unreleased track, "Sanity.” The culminating track unveils a new chapter in Paramore's evolution while bringing a familiar groundedness we consistently visit in their sound teasing indented guitars and frenetic drums.
This remix album introduces a renewed energy into the band’s exploration of new identities from decades of reminiscent and continuously adored personas. With this inclusion, "Re: This is Why" masterfully bridges the past and the present, crafting a transformative testament to their long-devoted craft.
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