Paramore

Around 2004, in Franklin, Tennessee, one of the most iconic female-fronted rock bands, Paramore, formed. The band's name, derived from "paramour" meaning secret lover, is a Grammy-winning pop-punk/pop-rock group currently featuring lead vocalist Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York, and drummer Zac Farro. Originally part of the pop-punk scene, they've evolved into a more mainstream pop rock sound.

Despite Hayley Williams being a notable face, the band initially formed without her, as Josh Farro and Zac Farro jammed with Jeremy Davis before they brought in Williams as the vocalist. Jason Bynum, Hayley's neighbor, later joined as rhythm guitarist.

Paramore's debut album, All We Know Is Falling, came out in 2005, when Hayley Williams was only 16. It hit number 8 on the UK Rock Chart, despite internal band issues that led to Jeremy Davis leaving just before its release.

Following the album's success, Davis re-joined, and the 2007 Platinum-certified album Riot! brought Paramore international fame, including hits like “That’s What You Get,” “Misery Business,” and “Crushcrushcrush.” The lineup consisted of Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis, Zac Farro, and Josh Farro.

Post-Riot!, guitarist Taylor York, who had been involved in their live performances, officially joined. The band released another successful album, Brand New Eyes, in 2009, featuring “The Only Exception.”

In 2010, the Farro brothers exited amid controversy surrounding Hayley’s presence under major label management. Reduced to a trio, Paramore worked on a new project, resulting in their most commercially successful album, Paramore, in 2013. “Ain’t It Fun,” a single from this album, won a Grammy for Best Rock Song in 2015. That December, Jeremy Davis left the band again.

On April 19, 2017, Paramore released new music after four years with “Hard Times” as the lead single from their fifth album, After Laughter, launched on May 12. This marked the first album since Jeremy’s departure and Zac’s return, and Taylor's debut as a producer. Hayley described this album to The New York Times as almost non-existent, fueled by personal struggles and life uncertainties in the spotlight.

After a five-year break during which Hayley Williams released two solo albums, Paramore came back with This Is Why, their first album without lineup changes from its predecessor. This modern alt rock project signifies a return to a rock sound and tackles global concerns encountered during their hiatus, showcasing their evolution from past band difficulties.