Brand New Eyes

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Lore & Background

After the release of Riot! (2007), a blog post in early 2008 stated that Paramore were having 'internal issues,' coupled with a week of cancelled shows, sparking breakup rumors. The band resolved this, claiming it was an issue of members 'growing up' but not 'growing together.' Singer Hayley Williams expressed doubts about songwriting and meeting expectations after Riot!'s success. The band spent six weeks in pre-production at Emac Studios in their hometown of Franklin, the first time without a producer's guidance. A visit from Rob Cavallo reassured them they were on the right track. 'The album totally rocks,' Cavallo said, 'yet it's also very subtle.' The band treated the writing as therapeutic, helping them hash out old differences and resolve internal struggles by going back to why they started the band. They named the record Brand New Eyes because of the allusion to seeing things from a whole new perspective.

In Their Own Story

The studio lights flickered over a room thick with unspoken words and heavy silence. Instruments sat untouched for long moments as the weight of recent arguments hung in the air like smoke. Then, a single chord struck—a sound that was both sharp and sorrowful. It wasn't an explosion of anger this time, but a quiet realization that they had to find a way forward together or not at all. In that moment, a new song began to take shape, born from the cracks in their foundation.

Reader's Guide

This record arrived during a transformative period for the band, following the massive success of their previous work and amidst significant internal friction. Critics praised its departure from pure pop-punk toward a more mature alternative rock sound, noting the depth of emotion and lyrical maturity. The album features a diverse range of tracks that explore themes of betrayal, hope, and self-discovery. Hits like 'Ignorance' showcase explosive energy and defiance, while ballads such as 'The Only Exception' offer tender, acoustic-driven reflections on love and fragility. Other songs blend these extremes, creating a dynamic listening experience that shifts from heavy distortion to whisper-quiet introspection. Thematically, the record is a journey through darkness toward light. It documents the band's struggle to maintain their identity while facing external pressures and internal discord. The result is a cohesive narrative of resilience, proving that even in moments of near-collapse, beauty and strength can emerge.

Did You Know?

• The album's cover, an image of a butterfly divided from its wings, inspired the line 'The angles were all wrong / Now she's ripping wings off of butterflies' from the song 'Brick by Boring Brick.'
• The deluxe limited edition package included a 40-page hardcover journal written solely by Hayley Williams, a color vinyl 7-inch single, and a DVD featuring an approximately 20-minute exclusive 'making-of' documentary.
• The album was one of the first to use iTunes LP format.
• A high-resolution version (96 kHz/24bit) of the album was released on HDtracks.com in 2012, which has a greater dynamic range than the CD release.
• The album's title came from the band wanting to 'see each other in a new way' after resolving their internal struggles.

Production_and_Personnel

Following the success of Riot! (2007), the group entered a period of uncertainty before committing to this third studio effort. Production took place primarily in Hidden Hills and Calabasas, California, spanning from January to March 2009. This marked a significant shift as they collaborated with renowned producer Rob Cavallo, who helped refine material initially developed during pre-production sessions in their hometown of Franklin. A pivotal personnel change occurred when touring guitarist Taylor York was officially announced as a permanent band member on June 15, 2009, three months before the album's release. While Williams and Farro handled the bulk of the writing, York contributed to four specific tracks. This recording cycle proved crucial as the final project before Josh and Zac Farro departed the band in 2010. The band mostly tracked drums first, followed by the rest of the members recording scratch tracks that they later overdubbed, a standard rock procedure that helped solidify their sound under Cavallo's guidance.

Thematic_Depth_and_Songwriting

The sonic landscape of this record blends alternative rock with elements of pop-punk and emo, reflecting a deeper emotional maturity than previous work. Vocalist Hayley Williams approached the songwriting process as a therapeutic exercise, choosing to address current painful struggles rather than resolved past issues. 'I was like, "This isn't a feel-good song, because I'm writing about something I'm going through right now, and it's still painful,"' she said. 'They're heavier emotions for me... I'm still going through some of this stuff, and these songs are really healing to me.' This honesty allowed the group to hash out internal differences that had previously threatened their existence. The title itself alludes to viewing relationships and situations from a fresh perspective after letting go of past conflicts. Guitarist Josh Farro later described Riot! as 'a kiddie album,' noting they needed that foundation to reach this level of artistic growth. By putting difficult emotions onto the table, the members reconnected with their original reasons for wanting to play music.

Commercial_Performance

Upon its September 29, 2009 release, the project achieved immediate commercial success globally. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 175,000 copies in the United States, standing as their biggest album on that chart until their self-titled album debuted at number one in 2013. Internationally, it topped charts in major markets including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, making it the band's second-highest charting album to date. Sales certifications reflect this widespread popularity: the album was certified double platinum in the United Kingdom by the BPI, platinum in the United States by the RIAA, and platinum in Australia by the ARIA. It was also certified gold in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Five singles were released to support the record: 'Ignorance,' 'Brick by Boring Brick,' 'The Only Exception,' 'Careful,' and 'Playing God,' all finding commercial success in the United States and internationally. To maintain momentum, the group embarked on the Brand New Eyes World Tour, playing shows in North America, Asia, Europe, etc., as well as festival appearances.

Critical_Reception_and_Legacy

Critics widely praised the record for its improved songwriting and the evident maturity displayed by the group. According to Metacritic, Brand New Eyes holds a score of 73 out of 100, indicating 'generally favorable reviews,' based on 18 reviews. Several publications featured it on year-end lists. Industry recognition included winning Best Album at the Kerrang! Awards 2010, while the track 'The Only Exception' received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Alternative Press awarded the album 4.5 out of 5, with Scott Heisel praising that 'Eyes astonishes from start to finish.' Despite these accolades, the album remains historically significant as the final release before Josh and Zac Farro left the band in 2010, altering their lineup significantly until Zac's return in 2017 prior to the release of their fifth studio album, After Laughter. This context adds weight to the record, marking both a high point of stability and the end of an era involving the original founding members.

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