It has been just a little over 4 years since Paramore released their last album, Self-Titled. Lyrically, After Laughter tackles these 4 years and what the band has gone through internally. Songs such as Fake Happy and Tell Me How are the two most obvious, Hayley dealing with personal image, and how the band moves forward with ex-bassist, Jeremy Davis, respectively. While musically After Laughter is upbeat, the lyrics are dark, brutally honest, and even depressing.

After Laughter opens up with the first verse: