Hayley Williams, Petals for Armor | Album Review 💿

Hayley Williams, best known as the front woman of Grammy-winning alternative band Paramore, delivers a superb debut LP with Petals for Armor. 

Hayley Williams is best known as the front woman of Paramore, a band that has had ample success critically and commercially.

Paramore even did something only few bands can tout – a Grammy win! In January 2020 it was revealed that Williams had a solo project in the works, Petals for Armor.  Petals for Armor was released gradually (EP and single style) with the eventual three-disc, full-length project arriving on May 8, 2020.  Ultimately, Petals for Armor is nothing short of a superb debut LP.

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💿 1

“Simmer”

“Simmer” commences Petals for Armor uniquely, setting the tone.  Produced by Taylor York (Paramore), and written by Williams, York, and Joey Howard, it’s darker than most of the material that graced After Laughter. “Simmer” is set in a minor key with an enigmatic vibe. Lyrically and thematically, Williams shines, capturing rage and controlling that rage.  On the first verse, she sings, “Rage is a quiet thing / Ooh, you think that you’ve tamed it / But it’s just lying in the wait…” On the second, she’s ‘salty’: “Mmm, and if my child needed protection / From a fucker like that man / I’d sooner gut him / ‘Cause nothing cuts like a mother…” The chorus is where we see push and pull between rage and control:

“Control
There’s so many ways to give in
Eyes closed
Another way to make it to ten
Oh, how to draw the line between wrath and mercy?
Simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer down…” 

“If you know love / You best prepare to grieve.” The thoughtfully penned “Leave it Alone” finds Hayley Williams totally consumed with grief.  The record has an extremely somber tone from the onset, instrumentally and lyrically. On the first verse, she sings, “‘Cause now that I want to live / Well everybody around me is dying / Now that I finally wanna live / The ones I love are dyin’.” Thinking about family members dying – people you care about leaving you – is totally depressing and overwhelming.  On the second verse, she’s further ‘triggered,’ providing a specific example of loss:

“You don’t remember my name somedays
Or that we’re related
It triggers my worry
Who else am I gonna lose before I am ready?
And who’s gonna lose me?”

The centerpiece of the record is the chorus, where “The truth’s a killer / But I can’t leave it alone…” “Leave it Alone” ranks among the crème de la crème of Petals for Armor.

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“Cinnamon”

“Cinnamon,” Williams’ self-proclaimed ‘ode to home,’ keeps the album going strong.  It features an excellent groove and is incredibly rhythmic.  The production is colorful and creative, exemplifying alternative music sensibilities through and though.  One of the best musical features? The robust bass line. Clever vocals throughout help make “Cinnamon” both catchy and quite distinct. In addition to natural singing, vocal effects further accentuate the sound of “Cinnamon.” 

On “Creepin’,” Hayley Williams delivers playful vocals.  Like on “Cinnamon,” she exhibits ample personality. Furthermore, more vocal effects add more color. Worth noting, on both verses, Williams references a “Poor little vampire,” which ends up being a terrific metaphor. Petals for Armor I concludes with “Sudden Desire,” a fifth straight worthwhile listen. Groove continues to be Williams’ best friend, while vocal layering and Williams’ vocal approach is another selling point.  Vocally, she projects more on the chorus. 

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💿 2

“Dead Horse”

“I beat it like a dead horse, I beat it like a drum / Oh, I stayed with you too long / Skipping like a record, but I sang along / To a silly little song /… A shitty never-ending song…” “Dead Horse” commences Petals for Armor II with a bang, referencing William’s divorce. Once more, the listener is blessed with ear catching production.  The tone of the guitar, continual robustness of the bass, and the drum groove are sublime. The aforementioned chorus is quite catchy, with Williams continuing to showcase ample personality, understandable given the personal nature of the track.

“My Friend” possesses more of a somber, enigmatic sound. Williams (and York) deserve continual love for the artfulness and care taken in conceiving this track and the album. Hayley providing substantial contrast to the rest of the song.  On “Over Yet,” the tempo quickens, and 80s vibes arrive, particularly on the chorus. Bragging on the backdrop, I love the crispness and finesse that is achieved; quite sleek. Indeed, “It’s the right time / To come alive /… Baby, tell yourself it ain’t over yet.”

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“Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” 

“Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” is another favorite from Petals for Armor.  It features an enigmatic intro that eventually settles into another Grade-A groove and unshakable stability. The magnificent backdrop never crowds Williams’ vocals, always making her the focal point. Furthermore, there are many instrumental highlights: the rhythm and prominence of the bass line, impressive drumming, subtleness of the guitar, and various spare synths and ‘accoutrements.’ That doesn’t even shout out great background vocals from boygenius (Julien Baker, Lucy Daucus, and Phoebe Bridgers).  The girl power is lit on “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris.”

The moderately paced “Why We Ever” concludes Petals for Armor II.  Once more, sound is a big selling point. The use of electric piano is a brilliant touch, later shifting to acoustic piano. Hayley Williams continues to serve up compelling vocals.  As for the song’s meaning, according to an IG caption, the session and song “…was the start of recognizing my bad patterns and acknowledging that I’m ready to grow out of them.”

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💿 3

“Pure Love”

Ah, we hit homestretch with the final third of Petals of Armor.  As has been the case with each disc, “Pure Love” serves as a strong opener. Once again, there’s a superb groove while I live for the lightness of the sound.  That said, Williams and backdrop dig in more on the chorus section.  Worth shouting out here is the creative harmonic progression, with a lot of the ‘quirks’ owed to the bass opting for cool inversions. “Pure Loves” launches the most experimental portion of the album, as well as explores launching a new, healthier relationship. “Taken” continues that innovative spirit that’s locked into the final third of the album.  There’s another marvelous groove at work, as well as a pretty sweet jazzy harmonic progression where guitar plays a sizable role emphasizing the chords.  The riffs are sweet while Williams, vocally,  also embraces this jazzy, artful, novel vibe.

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“Sugar on the Rim”

“Never felt this sensation / A kiss to every scar / Eclipse my expectation / Shock to my heart / Sugar on, sugar on / Sugar, sugar on the rim / On the rim.” “Taken” is great, but “Sugar on the Rim” is even better.  Once more, there’s a stunning, creative, and enigmatic intro that draws the listener in to see where Hayley Williams is going. Williams sings in her lower register some, which ends up being quite refreshing.  More surprising, however, are the electronic sounds and dance elements of “Sugar on the Rim.” This is something unexpected from Williams that works without a hitch.

Penultimate cut “Watch Me While I Bloom” features more experimentation regarding sound and constructing the groove. Notably, the record features some of the most overt vocals we hear from Williams.  On this poppy track, it’s all about empowerment.  “Crystal Clear” closes Petals fittingly.  The sounds continue to compel – warm keyboard, tom-tom drum runs specifically – while Williams’ vocals are strong.  What is “Crystal Clear” for Williams is, the she “Won’t give in to the fear.”

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Final Thoughts

Out of 15 total songs, I dare you to find a bad one on Petals for Armor.  Hayley Williams delivers a truly accomplished solo debut that lacks any glaring miscues.  The songwriting is personal, the production is clever, refined, and well-rounded, and the vocals are spot-on. While I went into Petals for Armor only moderately enthused, I came out thoroughly impressed – fancy tickled.  Petals for Armor is a great album. 

Gems: “Simmer,” “Leave it Alone,” “Cinnamon,” “Dead Horse,” “Roses / Lotus / Violet / Iris,” “Pure Love” & “Sugar on the Rim”

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Hayley Williams • Petals for Armor • Atlantic • Release: 5.8.20

Photo Credit: Atlantic

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