The sudden and cryptic 17-song release Hayley Williams dropped on her website this July was a classified affair — fans had to input a code to listen to the songs. It wasn't until a couple days later that they released on streaming services as singles.
The singles culminated to a solo album, "Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party." It officially released on Aug. 28 with one more song added, "Parachute," but Williams let fans know there was still more to come.
She released two songs after the initial debut, "Good Ol' Days" on Oct. 24, and finally "Showbiz" on Nov. 7. The final version of the album dropped the same day physical copies released, bringing the total track list to 20 songs.
The album's strange rollout is the opposite of modern-day musical marketing, but for Williams, it was anything but a hindrance and was incredibly well received by fans.
In one of the most cathartic collections of songs she's ever released in her 20 years as an artist, Williams gives fans and the world the opportunity to dissect her very raw, real confessions.
It could have been easy for this project to feel disjointed because most of the songs are singles and don't technically intertwine. Before the album's release, fans had the opportunity to create their own track list and control the album's narrative.
In its published form, "Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party" is a haunting exploration of Williams and her interpersonal relationships with herself, love, grief and so much more.
"Mirtazapine" is one of the Grammy-nominated tracks on the record. In short, it's a love song for Williams' antidepressant. She recognizes the drug as an aid to her existence,
"Here come my genie in a screwcap bottle/ to grant me temporary solace/ I could never be without her/ I had to write a song about her."
The song, with its grateful yet unnerving lyrics, has a '90s shoegaze-inspired sound that is very reminiscent of other tracks.
Romantic love and human nature is at the center point of this record, and Williams tackles it through every perspective.
"Discovery Channel" is raw and carnivorous.
"You and me, baby, ain't nothing but mammals/ so let's do it like they do it on the Discovery Channel."
"Love Me Different" is a personal reflection that Williams is making about her own relationships. Like many other songs on the record, "Parachute," "Good Ol' Days" and "Showbiz" recount specific eras in her life.
"Good Ol' Days" references a whirlwind romance on the road.
"We could sneak around like we're on tour/ even if that's all you want me for, for/ You could call me Miss Paramour."
"Showbiz" has Williams questioning if it was all just for the cameras.
"Guess that's showbiz/ Guess that's curtains/ Was it just showbiz?"
The lyrics address Williams' high-profile status and its ramifications on her relationships. In doing so, she delivers what she does best: gut-wrenching lyrics over alluring and upbeat production.
That's just the surface of the multifaceted record. Williams also holds conversations on loneliness in "Glum" and discusses her relationship to the South, and its racist present and past in "True Believer."
"Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party," aside from its sound, is an attest to what artistic freedom cultivates. Williams released this record as an independent artist after Paramore's two-decade contract with Atlantic Records expired.
She founded a new label, Post Atlantic Records, and produced the album — It's why this record was allowed such an unusual release. It’s been a whirlwind for fans to follow. All the secret drops and easter eggs have cultivated a true interactive experience.
And soon, fans will be able to experience the four-time Grammy-nominated album live. In a photo posted on her website, Williams revealed the cities she will be heading to for her first-ever solo tour.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Editor's note: The opinions presented in this review are the author's and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Edited by Kasturi Tale, George Headley and Sophia Braccio.
Reach the reporter at jagon128@asu.edu.
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Jazlyn Gonzales is junior studying Journalism and Mass Communication. This is her third semester with the State Press. She has also interned at KJZZ.
