Paramore: Paramore

In the last few years, the dominant narrative surrounding alt-pop superstars Paramore has been the acrimonious 2010 departure of founding members Josh and Zac Farro. The focus on this drama has often been to the exclusion of the band’s music, which is frustrating: Over the last decade, the members of Paramore have grown from gawky emo-punk kids into mature musicians with diverse influences and plenty to say. The constant rehashing of this schism is especially galling in light of the band’s self-titled fourth album, which shows significant and compelling songwriting growth. Paramore’s core sound—well-crafted pop-rock with a punk edge—is merely a starting point for the record. Across these 17 songs, the band piles on and assimilates a smorgasbord of styles: M83-like synth ambience (the end of “Grow Up”), girl-group sass (“(One Of Those) Crazy Girls”), steamrolling noise roars (the Joy Formidable-reminiscent “Now”), and jubilant punk (the skank-worthy “Anklebiters”). Producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen and studio drummer Ilan Rubin ensure these explorations never sound too polished, either. Even the most straightforward songs—the spunky ’90s pop of “Fast In My Car,” No Doubt-like mash note “Still Into You,” and keyboard-aided power-pop of “Daydreaming”—feel looser and grittier.