Brief Thoughts on Upcoming Hayley Willams Album “Petals For Armor”

Last month, Williams released the first single, “Simmer”, from her upcoming debut solo album Petals For Armor. “Simmer,” is as far away as Williams could have gotten from her Paramore roots, but who’s to say that’s a good thing? Though the lyrical subject matter of abuse is gutting and refreshingly personal, it isn’t quite enough to redeem the song’s awkward and misguided sound. “Simmer,” sets a foggy ambiance with the plucking of harp strings behind Williams’ somehow unfamiliar harmonies, but it just isn’t very interesting. Last week, Williams released a part one to Petals For Armor with six tracks including, “Simmer,” “Leave It Alone,” “Cinnamon,” “Creepin’”, and “Sudden Desire.” Like the first single, almost every other song has clear and enticing subject matter, but lacks compelling sound to match.

The standout track out of the six would be “Cinnamon.” The direction of the track doesn’t make much sense, but that’s exactly what makes it work. The rhythm of the song starts out a bit chaotic and confusing, but by the end of it all, it blossoms into a catchy and groovy track about growing in one’s solitude. In the bridge, Williams references her divorce from New Found Glory front man Chad Gilbert with lyrics, “I’m not lonely babe/ I am free.” Discussion of the change and pain she’s experienced in light of her divorce appears to be a recurring theme to look forward to with Petals For Armor. The concept of the album art is fully based off the cover-up finger tattoos Williams got to cover the initials of her ex-husband, so it’s safe to say we will be hearing more about that with the album’s full release.