Hayley Williams Shows Off “Dead Horse,” Best Song on New EP

Following her Petals For Armor I EP in February, Hayley Williams hast just shared her second EP, Petals For Armor II. It comes ahead of her debut solo album, Petals For Armor, due out on May 8th. Though we’ve heard four of the second EP’s songs already, today we get to indulge in its fifth song… and indeed, the best track among them. “Dead Horse” just premiered as Annie Mac’s “Hottest Record in the World” and is now available to stream and download. Hayley wrote “Dead Horse” with Daniel James, and Taylor York produced it.

The track begins with Hayley apologizing for being “in a depression,” piano underneath, before the drum beat kicks in. What follows is the most pop song we’ve heard from Hayley’s solo material yet. “Dead Horse” shimmers with sweetness and layers over a funky groove, yet its lyrics are as dark as we’d expect. Hayley describes her decade-long relationship with ex-husband Chad Gilbert, revealing its shocking beginning and the later consequence of that. The chorus explodes into Hayley’s self-deprecation over her continued suffering within and talking about this ill-fated relationship. “Dead Horse” sounds bubbly, yet it’s the most revealing song we’ve heard yet. It could have fit on Paramore’s last album, After Laughter, yet it also merges with Hayley’s new solo style, too.

Listen to “Dead Horse” in full below:

“Dead Horse” appears on Hayley’s new EP, Petals For Armor II. You can stream or download the EP from all the major music providers here. It also features Hayley’s four most recent releases: “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris,” “Over Yet,” “My Friend,” and “Why We Ever.”

And don’t forget: Before Petals For Armor II there was Petals For Armor I! You can stream or download that EP from all the major music platforms here. It features the songs “Simmer,” “Leave It Alone, “Cinnamon,” “Creepin,’” and “Sudden Desire.”

All ten songs we’ve heard so far will appear on Hayley’s upcoming full-length album, Petals For Armor, due out on May 8th. You can pre-order the album now here. The album will feature five additional songs, two of which are known to be titled “Taken” and “Pure Love.”

More Paramore & Hayley Williams News

Touring & Paramore’s Future

Hayley previously announced an intimate solo tour across North America and Europe, was to begin in May. However, in all likelihood, the tour will be postponed due to coronavirus. You can still check out current date and locations – and purchase concert tickets – here, but realize these are very much subject to change.

Hayley has also confirmed that Paramore is not over. They will make music together again, though it probably won’t sound like her forthcoming solo material. In any case, Hayley indicated that this solo album is an important step that will only help the band grow.

Petals For Armor

Hayley’s upcoming debut solo album, Petals For Armor, will be available on May 8th. Catch up on all we know about it so far here.

Enjoy the new song “Dead Horse” and the full second EP, Petals For Armor II. Stay tuned for more news on the full album, Petals For Armor – including final five songs of the tracklisting. Keep checking back here for all the latest Hayley Williams music news.

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