Petals for Armor
by Hayley Williams
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 8, 2020
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 455 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 408 out of 455
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 455
  3. Negative: 29 out of 455
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  1. AdityMaha
    Oct 10, 2022
    8
    "Petals for Armor" was actually a really enjoyable debut Solo Album from Hayley and I love that she made a record that actually felt like a Solo Album and not like any of Paramore’s Albums even tho some tracks like "Dead Horse" which btw is one of my favorite tracks from 2020, well even tho sounded like something straight out of After Laughter. Which isn't a bad thing cause I really loved"Petals for Armor" was actually a really enjoyable debut Solo Album from Hayley and I love that she made a record that actually felt like a Solo Album and not like any of Paramore’s Albums even tho some tracks like "Dead Horse" which btw is one of my favorite tracks from 2020, well even tho sounded like something straight out of After Laughter. Which isn't a bad thing cause I really loved that Album. Anyway to me the absolute best and standout tracks on here were: the lead single and also Hayley’s Debut Single as a Solo Artist that of course being Simmer which was an amazing dark and moody sounding song that I think Hayley’s vocals were so amazing and the lyrics about how Rage is a quiet thing and you just have to simmer down was pretty amazing. Dead Horse which I mentioned earlier as my favorite track on the album was probably the most pop sounding track on here along with the amazing "Sudden Desire" which was amazing on here as well. Anyway on Dead Horse she talks about her relationship with her ex husband Chad Gilbert from New Found Glory and she managed to talk about that kinda **** up relationship and still make an amazing and catchy af song. So Yeah Overall this Album was a fantastic Debut Solo Album from Hayley and a Strong 8 out of 10 imo.… Expand
  2. Dexterity26
    Aug 23, 2022
    10
    Hayley's vocals are pure love and her signature style of writing has the ability to transport you into the scene.
  3. M4CC4
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    Brilliant album, thoroughly enjoy Hayley’s solo work, she is so so so good!
  4. Stavush
    Apr 12, 2022
    10
    This album is absolutely brilliant. The lyrics are heartbreaking, but through the album they get more optimistic, so this album takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that never gets old.
  5. clem666
    Aug 1, 2021
    7
    Eventually the debut solo album for the famous lead singer of Paramore! And what a heavy strike! Despite a rather ordinary and unoriginal instrumentation (excpeted for some tracks), she manages to create catchy songs, a bit repetitive here and there, but characterized by intelligent, crystal clear intelligible, superbly honnest and complex lyrics.

    We encounter here a calmer, wiser and    Eventually the debut solo album for the famous lead singer of Paramore! And what a heavy strike! Despite a rather ordinary and unoriginal instrumentation (excpeted for some tracks), she manages to create catchy songs, a bit repetitive here and there, but characterized by intelligent, crystal clear intelligible, superbly honnest and complex lyrics.

    We encounter here a calmer, wiser and more confident singer than in her Paramore years. The contrast is as shocking as effective. She voluntarily lets a lot of room for pop and electro styles while she explores her varied voice textures. The boring constance of structure of the songs made me lower the score as it seems Hayley wasn't aiming for this album to be as magnificent and grandiose as I expected. Still definitely an interesting record.    … Expand
  6. Willc13032001
    Mar 25, 2021
    10
    femininity and self-expression to its full extent, truly a no skip album. A clear move away from the paramore sound but a welcome change.
  7. Swiftiestaylor
    Mar 21, 2021
    0
    Petals for Armor is up there with Childish Gambino in terms of not making any sense at all but the albums are labeled as being lyrical masterpieces anyway for the dumbest reasons I have heard. I personally can't understand how this music evokes maturity in the artist. I still hear the same Hayley from Paramore but now shes mopey, boring & uninspired. She's also been a very judgmentalPetals for Armor is up there with Childish Gambino in terms of not making any sense at all but the albums are labeled as being lyrical masterpieces anyway for the dumbest reasons I have heard. I personally can't understand how this music evokes maturity in the artist. I still hear the same Hayley from Paramore but now shes mopey, boring & uninspired. She's also been a very judgmental artist and for what? I don't see the hype and I never will. She was awful and Paramore and she's even worse here.… Expand
  8. Vitors23
    Mar 21, 2021
    0
    Whilst Paramore's music tends to be all rage and release, solo Williams offers something much more quirky and cerebral, delving poetically and occasionally combatively into her insecurities. The elaborate intricacy of writing and production may be a lot to take in for all but devoted fans.
  9. ariannasodre
    Mar 21, 2021
    10
    Simplesmente um dos melhores álbuns de 2020. Ela conseguiu colocar nas músicas todos os seus sentimentos, revoltas e angústias de forma impecável e bela.
  10. themc
    Feb 5, 2021
    10
    Why we ever isn't just a song, ITS THE SONG. I love how the lyrics convey so much feeling.
  11. IsaacJ0nes
    Feb 5, 2021
    8
    An absolutely beautiful record with deep and intimate as well as soaring vocals. Deeply intricate and oftentimes in the case of "Cinamon" strange instrumentation that shows the versatility of Hayley Williams. Definitely something to listen and go back to. The lyrical depth is astonishing; you really feel you get a look into an otherwise quiet world.
  12. sr_ini
    Jan 1, 2021
    10
    Nesse álbum a Hayley mostrou um lado dela que estava escondido há muito tempo no Paramore. A letra, a melodia e as batidas foram muito bem representadas. Por esse motivo, posso afirmar, com certeza, que o álbum poderia entrar tranquilamente na lista dos melhores de 2020. Espero ter mais da Williams nos próximos anos.
  13. bruvernaschi
    Nov 3, 2020
    10
    The sonority of this album make me CRAZY. This is an easy go-to happy album, love it.
  14. Edwinrates
    Oct 29, 2020
    10
    Hayley Williams has outdone herself!

    Petals For Armor is the emotional rollercoaster I think a lot of us needed. Very much like she did with the guys on After Laughter, Hayley Williams brings out raw and uncensored emotion. This time she depicts her own journey of healing and the bumps along the way. Knowing that acceptance, redemption, and self-love can manifest from pain and rage is the    Hayley Williams has outdone herself!

    Petals For Armor is the emotional rollercoaster I think a lot of us needed. Very much like she did with the guys on After Laughter, Hayley Williams brings out raw and uncensored emotion. This time she depicts her own journey of healing and the bumps along the way. Knowing that acceptance, redemption, and self-love can manifest from pain and rage is the light I think we all need to know is at the end of the tunnel. It was so beautifully depicted in the three separate parts that make up the album. Hayley has outdone herself! Hats off to her and Taylor York who produced this album.    … Expand
  15. reisdrop
    Oct 24, 2020
    9
    The album is full of emotion with beatiful ballads like Roses/Violet/Lotus/Iris or Why We Ever, fun songs like Sugar on the Rim or Pure Love, etc. Plus, the production of Taylor York makes it a good album to listen. The only bad thing is the way some lyrics are just simple and easy to see. But everything else is good.
  16. mozaichearts
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    never underestimate Hayley Williams’ songwriting skills bc she’s really one of the best of it
  17. peronah
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    Desde la feminidad y tristeza de Hayley, hasta un espíritu más feliz y con esperanzas. Hayley Williams se reinventa en sonido y lírica en su nuevo disco. insultar, hablar de sexo, hablar de Dios de una manera no positiva, etc. son cosas nunca antes vistas en Hayley en paramore, que aquí se hacen presentes. destacó sudden desire como su mejor canción. una canción que habla de su feminidad,Desde la feminidad y tristeza de Hayley, hasta un espíritu más feliz y con esperanzas. Hayley Williams se reinventa en sonido y lírica en su nuevo disco. insultar, hablar de sexo, hablar de Dios de una manera no positiva, etc. son cosas nunca antes vistas en Hayley en paramore, que aquí se hacen presentes. destacó sudden desire como su mejor canción. una canción que habla de su feminidad, de sexo, de una persona que no la dejaba tranquila, y se sentía culpable por querer algo con el, sim contar el gruto ahogado del final. es un disco que tiene muchos sentimientos y nunca se queda con un solo sonido, pero a la vez forma una masa homogénea que combina y suena muy bien, se parecen, pero no tanto, y lo hace especial. sin contar la inspiración de cantantes de los 80s o 00s como Bjork. es una experiencia que recomiendo a todos escucharla. uno de los mejores discos del año. y no es sólo una Hayley deprimida. es una Hayley deprimida, enojada, alegre, que trata de superar a alguien. es una Hayley persona la que se ve representada a lo largo de todo el disco.… Expand
  18. dancingalone
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The lyrics are so ?? just a pair of good songs. This is a skip album in its entirely
  19. MarcosBassBR
    Aug 7, 2020
    10
    It’s the sound of an artist blooming into some of the best music of her career.
  20. byrontorress992
    Aug 4, 2020
    10
    No hay forma en que Hayley pudiera hacer algo mejor, es simplemente sublime su álbum
  21. PINEAPPLE_X12
    Jul 28, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This thing is honestly kinda boring and unoriginal. “Dead Horse” is a great track though. Another great song is “Simmer,” but other then that this album is very average.… Expand
  22. jeanus
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    Williams leaves her heart and vurnerability in this record. She opens up to her way of getting over pain and we can all relate to that. This experimental approach she takes is perfect because it paves the way for a lot of different tastes in music to follow her along through hee journey of self discovery
  23. JLuis_001
    Jul 25, 2020
    6
    Unbalanced, but that was to be expected considering it was a debut solo album.
    Obviously Williams tried to incorporate as many elements as possible to try to look more experimental and diverse than what she does in Paramore, but it's evident that her songs were not that solid to respond to her ambitions.
  24. rociogomezzz
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    absolutely amazing and touching, i love this album so much, the beats and lyrics, i really love Hayley Williams, she is pure art.
  25. Javanz
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    Petals For Armor is a well-written and well-produced body of work. It's three-part format is brilliant as it envelopes five songs each to emphasize the themes and substance resonant to each part. Hayley's vocals was well-utilized for each track added to Taylor York's genius production that created unique value to each track. This masterpiece is entirely perfect; no skips and has a geniunePetals For Armor is a well-written and well-produced body of work. It's three-part format is brilliant as it envelopes five songs each to emphasize the themes and substance resonant to each part. Hayley's vocals was well-utilized for each track added to Taylor York's genius production that created unique value to each track. This masterpiece is entirely perfect; no skips and has a geniune replay value.… Expand
  26. altrvega
    Jul 7, 2020
    9
    I did not listen Hayley's Paramore work. But i really liked this album. Maybe part 3 takes more time to like for me. But overall it's very good. I liked almost all the songs.
  27. Lajaleaa
    Jun 24, 2020
    8
    ( 80/100 )

    La vocalista de la totalmente popular banda Paramore que nos conmovió con "The Only Exception" en el 2009 y mucha música más, presenta "Petals For Armor" producido por su colega y guitarrista de la banda Taylor York. Esta iniciativa de Williams sorprende de varias formas sin ser realmente espectacular. WIlliams se muestra joven, enérgica, creativa y con una visión interesante    ( 80/100 )

    La vocalista de la totalmente popular banda Paramore que nos conmovió con "The Only Exception" en el 2009 y mucha música más, presenta "Petals For Armor" producido por su colega y guitarrista de la banda Taylor York. Esta iniciativa de Williams sorprende de varias formas sin ser realmente espectacular. WIlliams se muestra joven, enérgica, creativa y con una visión interesante sobre su música. Demuestra ser consciente al nivelar los humores de su narrativa y creativa con la forma en la que expresa esos humores e intercambia energías en la composición. Su voz, preciosa y fuerte, la usa a favor de la música y, a su vez, la música evidencía el estilo y autenticidad personal de la artista. Este álbum logra ser una buena, interesante y entretenida primera impresión de la cantante que promete un futuro intrigante para la juventud.
    -
    The vocalist of the totally popular band Paramore that move us with "The Only Exception" in 2009 and more music presents "Petals For Armor" produced by her colleague and guitarist of the band, Taylor York. This initiative of Williams surprises in several ways without being spectacular. Williams shows herself young, energetic, creative, and with an interesting vision of her music. Proves to be conscious by leveling the moods of her narrative and creative with the way she expresses those moods and exchanges the energies in the composition. She uses her voice, beautiful and strong, in favor of the music and, in turn, the music shows the style and authentic personality of the artist. This album achieves to be a good, interesting, and entertaining first impression of the singer that promises an intriguing future for young people.    … Expand
  28. Temporary03
    Jun 9, 2020
    9
    This is Hayley's first look into the world of working by herself and releasing something that is completely hers. So as a result for me I had high expectations, I love every Paramore album and After Laughter is one of my favourite albums from recent years, I was excited in the direction they were heading towards. So when Hayley announced the album I was beyond excited to see if she wouldThis is Hayley's first look into the world of working by herself and releasing something that is completely hers. So as a result for me I had high expectations, I love every Paramore album and After Laughter is one of my favourite albums from recent years, I was excited in the direction they were heading towards. So when Hayley announced the album I was beyond excited to see if she would blow me away like Paramore have done every time. All I can say is that the new album was not in anyway a disappointed, her excellent songwriting from Paramore is beautifully projected onto her songs her and she gives us a more in depth look into her mind, following her through very dark and hopeless times, to more happy times where she dedicates songs to her friends. The album is split up into three parts, part one is a dark look into Hayley's psyche dealing with rage and anger from the opening "Simmer" and even death with "Leave it alone". Part two is more uplifting I guess, the music is more up beat and not as timid such as songs like "Dark horse" which is incredibly catchy and her song about appreciating the people around her with the song "My friend". The final part I struggle to put into a category to be honest, it seems to be more fun and energetic often resembling some songs off After Laughter with songs such as "Pure love" and "Sugar on the rim" and finishing with my personal favourite off the album "Crystal clear" which deals with the idea of moving on from a part from her life, it seems so personal and gives me as much emotion as "26" did off After Laughter. I know I keep comparing the two albums but that's because it was her most recent work before this solo album. The production is fantastic and her singing and instrumentation feels personal like on songs such as "Roses/Lotus/Violet/iris" and more explosive on songs like "Pure love". It deals with many different musical tones and as a result it leads to possibly one of the only criticisms I have with the album, due to each part of the album is so different, listening to it seamlessly can make it feel disjointed, or without a clear direction. One other issue I would say is her style of singing on some songs, this Is just a personal preference complaint but I think the way she stretches her words can be a bit hit or miss, sometimes I love it but on other songs it can almost be a little bit funny to me. Overall this album is absolutely amazing, but only one or two issues. All the songs land and it does a great job at giving us a more personal and deeper look into Hayley's mind. Whether it's a new Paramore record or another one of Hayley's solo albums, I'll be on board and looking forward to every song.… Expand
  29. ava_lv
    Jun 8, 2020
    10
    It's a genuine album. You can her emotions with every track, and the instrumental alongside with add-ins really make it complete. This album allows you to hear her journey. The vocals and bass were also insane.
  30. atomictartar
    Jun 3, 2020
    8
    I'm very biased as a longtime Paramore fan to like almost everything they, or Hayley or Zac (and whenever Taylor York does I'm joining) put out, but whatever. It's a great album, at least for my taste. Reminds me of all the influences I've seen on Hayley through the years, mewhithoutyou, Talking Heads, The Strokes, Björk and of course Radiohead. Some may say that's a bad thing but I foundI'm very biased as a longtime Paramore fan to like almost everything they, or Hayley or Zac (and whenever Taylor York does I'm joining) put out, but whatever. It's a great album, at least for my taste. Reminds me of all the influences I've seen on Hayley through the years, mewhithoutyou, Talking Heads, The Strokes, Björk and of course Radiohead. Some may say that's a bad thing but I found that enjoyable, seeing as is her trademark record, it's even better, you get to know a Hayley you wouldn't know in Paramore.
    Apart from the music, the lyrics are beautiful, powerful, special, very evoking and poetic. The whole flower theme about femininity and redemption is kept in the album. The lyrics are truthfully what makes this a beautiful and especial album, and also, a very raw and honest one.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best Album of 2020
28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2020
    60
    An overarching concern on Petals… is how Williams constructs a workable new femininity free from her old tomboy identity in Paramore. The blooming metaphor is, as a result, slightly overplayed throughout. ... Although there are a couple of low-key co-writes, Williams and York remain the organising creatives, and Williams sounds both free and in control.
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  2. Beats Per Minute
    May 15, 2020
    70
    This is a record which feels familiar and safely experimental, while Williams reveals more of herself than ever before. Just exactly who that is isn’t yet certain, and where she’ll go from here is anyone’s guess, but it’s sure to be interesting.
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  3. No Ripcord
    May 13, 2020
    80
    Petals for Armor succeeds best at sustaining a mood throughout, capturing the chaotic ups and downs of depression. Some moments are sugary sweet, while others are biting and angry, but the album keeps things healthy by switching between infectious pop tunes and mellow art-pop parts.
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