Paramore returns with forceful new single 'Now'

By Mikael Wood

Jan. 22, 2013 2:05 PM PT

The last few years have been bumpy ones for Paramore, the great Tennessee emo-rock band that stormed Top 40 radio in 2008 with “Misery Business.” The group debuted at No. 2 on the album chart with 2009’s “Brand New Eyes” and then promptly split in half when guitarist Josh Farro and drummer Zac Farro quit in 2010.

Since then, Paramore’s remaining members -- singer Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York and bassist Jeremy Davis -- have traded barbs with the Farro brothers, who upon their exit accused Williams of engaging in all manner of music-biz shenanigans. (Read their epic account of the band’s meltdown at Josh Farro’s blog.)

But as those sage emo-rock elders in Jimmy Eat World once observed, moving beyond turmoil just takes some time, little girl, when you’re in the middle of the ride.

So here we have “Now,” the lead single from a new, self-titled Paramore album due April 9. Posted on YouTube on Monday, the song (which you can hear below) makes no effort to gloss over recent events: “Don’t try to take this from me” are the first words Williams sings, and elsewhere, she ponders sinking ships, memories of mistakes and how there’s a time and a place to die.

But surprise! “This ain’t it,” Williams adds over a dive-bombing fuzz-punk riff, kicking her way into a chorus in which she insists, “If there’s a future, we want it.” It’s kind of thrilling in its earnest-young-person optimism.

Paramore recorded the upcoming album in L.A. with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who’s recorded and toured with bands such as Air and Nine Inch Nails. According to a release, “Paramore” will contain 17 tracks -- including three so-called interludes, which is always dicey. But we’ll reserve judgement.

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