Hayley Williams, the lead singer of Paramore, has delighted fans by suddenly dropping a collection of 17 brand-new songs. This surprise release came just days after she had mysteriously uploaded — and then deleted — the tracks from a secret website.
A Secret Drop Turned Official Release
On Friday, August 1, the 36-year-old singer officially released the collection through her own label, Post Atlantic, with distribution handled by Secretly Distribution.
The songs were first teased on a cryptic website that fans could access using a code included in a product drop from her hair dye brand, Good Dye Young.
When fans entered the site, they could see folders containing songs, which could be moved around the screen and played. There was even a “Misc” folder with a photo of a lyric book and a T-shirt that said, “Hayley Williams is my favorite band.” However, within 24 hours, the website was taken down with a message that read: “Thank you for listening.”
17 Songs Packed with Emotion and Meaning
The full collection was produced by Daniel James and features contributions from Brian Robert Jones and Joey Howard. Hayley herself wrote the lyrics, played multiple instruments, and recorded all the tracks.
One standout track is “True Believer,” a calm protest song that criticises how Christianity in the Southern U.S. is sometimes used to spread hate. Another song, “Mirtazapine,” takes inspiration from grunge music and touches on mental health and antidepressants. Hayley recently performed it live for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival.
The song “Discovery Channel” includes a sample from The Bloodhound Gang’s 1999 hit “The Bad Touch.” Meanwhile, “Ice in My OJ” brings back a chorus she originally sang in 2004 for a track by Mammoth City Messengers.
There’s also a special appearance from Jim-E Stack on “True Believer,” showing how Hayley has worked with a small but strong team for this project.
A Personal and Independent Musical Journey
This surprise release continues Hayley Williams’ solo journey beyond Paramore. She has earlier released two solo albums: Petals for Armor in 2020 and Flowers for Vases in 2021, along with three EPs.
This new collection shows a more personal and independent side of her music, with full creative control. By creating her own label and distributing the music in a unique way, she has once again proved she’s not afraid to break the mould.
In May, she also released a single titled “I Like It I Like It” with Moses Sumney, showing her interest in fresh collaborations and musical experimentation.
Hayley Williams’ surprise release of 17 solo songs has excited fans across the world. By sharing the tracks in a mysterious and creative way, she gave listeners not just new music, but an unforgettable experience. The songs are emotional, powerful, and filled with bold messages — from mental health to religious criticism.
This project continues to show her growth as a solo artist while staying true to her roots. Fans of Paramore and her solo work alike have a lot to enjoy in this bold new chapter.
