Hayley Williams' 'Simmer' Is an Exercise in Terror [Fresh Vid]

Paramore toured for months on end behind their 2017 LP After Laughter — a record notable for both its decidedly danceable pop sound and its emphasis on discussing mental health and community. Following a cathartic and triumphant show at Municipal Auditorium that they turned into a day-long festival, the band has been taking a much-needed break. That is, from working on Paramore.

Today, we hear “Simmer,” the first taste of a new project from frontwoman Hayley Williams called Petals for Armor. The song touches on feeling violated and trying to control the resultant rage, as Williams sings in the refrain: “Control / There’s so many ways to give in  / Another way to make a dent in / How to draw the line between wrath and mercy.” 

If After Laughter showed the influence of synth-enhanced art-rock like, say, Talking Heads, “Simmer” is a disquieting venture into territory Kate Bush explored on her 1982 LP The Dreaming — something of a “Get Out of My House” vibe. That carries over into the music video, directed by Warren Fu, a tense piece in which Williams runs through the woods by moonlight to a house. Is she running from something, or running toward? We’ll let you find out.

Williams also spoke via phone to BBC Radio’s Annie Mac. (She comes on about 19 minutes into the stream.) The two discussed the importance of having space outside of Paramore — although she still has her bandmates' support, as Taylor York is a co-writer and producer — to make music, and how writing is an important way for Williams to confront issues. Williams also elaborated on the idea behind the phrase “petals for armor.” 

“The way for me to protect myself best is to be vulnerable and be OK with feeling a lot of pain at certain times and feeling a lot of joy at certain times,” she told Mac. “As long as I stay soft to those things, then I’m open to letting those things in and out of me, then I actually can survive the world a lot easier, than if I stay hard and stay with my fists up all the time.”

Williams confirmed in the interview that the song and video are part of a solo album, which isn’t quite finished yet. And there will be touring behind it. Keep an eye on Williams’ website for the Petals for Armor project for updates.