It's Not About Forcing Happiness, It's About Not Letting Sadness Win

I'll break off from the ongoing Electogeddon to talk about music again. Having been underwhelmed by their gig at Koko earlier on in the year, I'm pleased to have a second chance to see The Wonder Years at a different venue as they'll be appearing at the Hippodrome in Kingston in July. It's a multi levelled nightclub with certain sightline issues but the sound is certainly a lot better and I'm subsequently hoping for a better show.

Paramore have released a new single for the first time in four years today called "Hard Times", the first selection from new record "After Laughter", which is set for a swift post-announcement release on 12th May. I liked Paramore both before and after they were cool. I remember seeing them on the "Give It A Name" tour in 2006 at the Islington Academy for £4 on a four band bill and saying to my friend after that set "That band will be massive". I'm not often right, but I certainly was on that score. They've transitioned from pop-punk to pop rock since but I've always enjoyed their output. On the evidence of "Hard Times", they're going in a more mellow direction with a sort of disco vibe (it all goes a bit Daft Punk towards the end). It's not a bad song but not quite my thing. Still, I await After Laughter with interest.

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