Paramore, “This Is Why.”

This Is Why, the long-anticipated sixth album from Paramore, may be proof that absence does, in fact, make the heart grow fonder. The band went on an extended hiatus following 2017’s After Laughter. The break saw Hayley Williams drop two solo records while also struggling with mental health and depression through the pandemic. This Is Why is the sum of Paramore’s nearly two decades as a band, a triumphant battle cry that is the trio’s most mature and confident work.

In some ways, Williams’ solo work was a necessary bridge to this latest iteration of Paramore. The quiet precision of the verses in the title track recall the intricacy of Petals For Armor, while the grooving jazz-influenced rhythms of drummer Zac Farro and the funky riffs from guitarist Taylor York take the sound to another dimension. The anthemic chorus is an instant reminder of the chemistry that fuels this band.

Urgent, punk-like anthem “The News” echoes something that could have come from the band’s self-titled album. Williams’ evolution as a writer is noticeable throughout. Going back to After Laughter, the singer honed in on topics of depression and the isolation from a world that seems too much. On This Is Why, Williams still faces those challenges, but this time, she writes about them with a renewed sense of self-assurance that brings a new energy to the music.

“Every second, our collective heart breaks/ All together, every single head shakes/ Shut your eyes, but it won’t go away/ Turn on, turn off, the news,” Williams sings in the chorus about the helplessness of watching the world’s chaos play out on TV.

“Running Out of Time” opens with a subdued bass and guitar pattern until Farro’s light groove enters the mix. The bouncy track explodes into a massive alt-pop chorus that sits more in the realm of some of the material from After Laughter.

“Why we gotta be in a rush; my watch is just for decoration/ Look, I showed up early for once, now that’s a new sensation,” Williams sings on the instantly infectious bridge.

York also brings a fresh perspective to his guitar work. Even the heaviest tracks aren’t awash with riffs and distortion. York figures out new ways to use his instrument to deliver the mood without relying on power chords.

Hayley Williams’ spoken-word verses on the punchy “C’est Comme Ca” are delightfully weird, one of the many intriguing aspects of This Is Why. Some tracks, or even parts of tracks, don’t resonate right away, but make perfect sense with a few listens. The risk-taking makes this album what it is.

“Big Man Little Dignity” is a groove-heavy mid-tempo track that shows off a different side of Williams’ voice. The singer shows off her dynamic range, opting for precision of power in the enunciation of the chorus. The track doesn’t really have a reference point within Paramore’s past; it has more of a throwback ’80s pop energy.

The aggressive “You First” is an absolute standout, a dark and moody romp that features some of Williams’ most pointed lyrics on the record.

“Everyone is a bad guy/ And there’s no way to know who’s the worst/ Karma’s gonna come for all of us/ And I hope she comes for you first,” Williams defiantly sings.

It’s not an exact comparison to some of the band’s earliest work, but there’s some of that energy on the song. The mood carries over to “Figure 8,” a natural companion piece to the precedes number. York plays a tight, shimmering guitar line as the energy crescendos into the chorus.

The pace slows for the first time on “Liar,” as a few lone guitar notes lead into a serene vocal. It’s a role reversal for Williams, who’s more apologetic and introspective lyrically.

“Oh, my love I lied to you/ But you always knew the truth,” Williams sings on the chorus.

The brighter and more upbeat “Crave” has Williams reminiscing about days gone by. The layered harmonies of the bridge are especially effective.

The subdued “Thick Skull” takes on a dark and bluesy feeling; the piano-driven track builds from just a few stark notes to an expansive soundscape. The song shifts from soft to heavy and brings things home on a dramatic note similarly to “All I Wanted” does for Brand New Eyes.

This Is Why is Paramore’s most complete work as a band. It doesn’t have a pop-punk radio hit like “Still Into You,” but that’s not the point. The album showcases the growth of three musicians at the top of their game and is proof positive Paramore has plenty more to say.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.