After a break from solo work to tour with Paramore, frontwoman Hayley Williams released 17 of 20 songs from “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” on her website on July 28 and on streaming services a month later. A bonus track, “Good Ol’ Days” was released on Oct. 24 and another, “Showbiz”, on Nov. 7 following ‘‘Ego Nite” listening events at independent record stores. Though I wasn’t able to attend “Ego Nite”, I was thrilled — the bonus tracks are brilliant additions. Thematically and soundwise, it’s an amazing follow up to 2020’s “Petals for Armor” and 2021’s “FLOWERS for VASES / descansos.”
“Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” is a fascinating album diving into Williams’ journey in her music career, love life and more. It covers a wide range of genres, jumping from synth-pop to shoegaze to folk in the space of an hour. Though it has 20 total songs, I chose to only cover five so I would have more room to talk.
5. “Brotherly Hate”
“Brotherly Hate” wasn’t originally a favorite — possibly the electronic instrumental, possibly me still considering the previous track, “Love Me Different” — but it grew on me after a few listens. I found the mixing of the guitar and bass lines with the layering of her voice super compelling. Though the chorus and backing track are nearly the same each time around, it didn’t feel too repetitive. I really thought this song stood out from the rest with its use of distortion to emphasize the lyrics and scream in the face of the audience. Plus, the guitar solo that the song ends on is almost nostalgic, reminiscent of themes from the TV show of my childhood.
Favorite lyric: “You’ll always have each other, not if you never pick where you let down!”
Rating: 7.8/10
4. “Ice In My OJ”
This song is a strong start to a great album. I’m a huge fan of distortion on the pre-chorus, though I will admit I was kind of startled the first time I heard it. I think the increasing distortion over “I’m in a band, I’m in a band!” is really interesting; it makes me wonder about her relationship with the music industry as a whole. The chorus is super catchy, though it feels a little bit repetitive by the end. “Ice In My OJ” is an amazing preview to moody sound and the commentary on relationships that fills the entire album. It implies a failing relationship and her dislike for the music industry; it’s superb both on its own and in combination with the context of her experiences as a touring musician since 2005.
Favorite lyric: “No secrets, no games to play.”
Rating: 8.6/10
3. “Parachute”
“Parachute” is another incredibly raw song that references her relationship with Paramore guitarist Taylor York in relation to her past marriage. The vocals jump between a raw, emotional belt and a softer, poppier chorus that really helps to illustrate the story Williams’ is telling. The music video perfectly matches the song, alternating between blurred and clear visuals that illustrate the multifaceted emotions it expresses. It’s heavy, it’s messy, it hits hard for a breakdown or dance party.
Favorite lyric: “You could’ve told me not to do it, I would’ve run, I would’ve run.”
Rating: 9/10
2. “Good Ol’ Days”
I won’t lie, this one was stuck in my head for days after my first listen of the album. Though it hurts my soul to put one of the most popular songs off the album at the top, I get why it’s so popular. The lyrics again reference Taylor York and had me dying to know the story of their relationship despite not being one for celebrity drama. Her voice works amazingly with the laid-back beat and jazzy instrumentals. “Good Ol’ Days” landed itself as my favorite off the album both for Williams’ great storytelling as well as the flow of the song from verse to chorus to verse again.
Favorite lyric: ‘We could sneak around like we’re on tour even if that’s all you want me for.’
Rating: 9.5/10
1. “True Believer”
Words can’t fully express my feelings for this song — it’s haunting, beautiful and incredibly true. The monotone delivery of her critique of southern Chrisitanity and racism makes it impactful. I have a distinct memory of the first time I heard “True Believer” while watching Hayley Williams’ performance on The Tonight Show. Her delivery of the line “strange fruit, hard bargain” is so raw and intense that it stuck with me. The building of the piano line with the hum of the bass is perfection — you can track them if you listen closely and it stands strong without overwhelming the vocals. This song means everything to me.
Favorite Lyric: “Kill the soul, turn a profit.”
Rating: 10/10
Overall, I would give the album a 9/10. It’s landed itself a solid spot in my music library and though I found a few songs to be skips (mostly Glum — I wasn’t able to get past my dislike of the vocal filters), Hayley Williams’ musical talent and the clear effort it shows far outweigh my personal preferences.
