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Hayley Williams is the First Woman to Hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart Solo and With a Group, Thanks to ‘Petals for Armor’

On May 8, singer/songwriter Hayley Williams released Petals for Armor, her first official solo album after five records as the front woman for alt/punk band Paramore.
Two weeks later, the album has made history, as it’s No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Album Charts, making Williams the first female artist to hit No. 1 both as a solo artist and with a band or group.
With her new No. 1 for 'Petals For Armor,' @yelyahwilliams is the first woman to have led #TopRockAlbums both on her own and with a group. https://t.co/IhwE0EXU1F
— billboard (@billboard) May 20, 2020
i love to rock https://t.co/Rhqe9qTDmU
— hayley from Paramore 🌺 (@yelyahwilliams) May 21, 2020
Previously, Hayley Williams and Paramore had hit the top spot on the Rock Albums Chart with 2017’s After Laughter, 2013’s self-titled album and 2009’s Brand New Eyes.
Petals for Armor, a versatile and raw collection of songs that span genres and styles, showcase Williams and her unwavering confidence. Taken from our album review back on May 8:
At the heart of Petals for Armor is vulnerability. Pure, raw, messy vulnerability, the product of years of turmoil within Paramore and outside the band, as Williams dealt with a short-lived marriage to Chad Gilbert, guitarist of New Found Glory. The tumult led to a bout with deep depression, which Williams opened up about with Vulture:
I felt scared to talk about depression for a long time. When I wrote that, I hadn’t been diagnosed. I’m a smart enough person. I can think through what I’m going through even when I’m really down on myself. A lot of people with anxiety or depression are intellectual and can understand, but it’s bigger than that. It’s a chemical problem. I was realizing how out of my control it was. It mattered to talk about it. Getting that down in front of me was a turning point.
Petals for Armor is a eye-opening accomplishment from Hayley Williams. She’s emerged from the darkness of the past few years stronger than ever, and it will be very exciting to see where her career goes from here.
Stream the album below.