Listen to Paramore Singer Hayley Williams’ First Solo Song, ‘Simmer’

Solo material from Paramore's Hayley Williams has been a long time coming. The singer has guided the ship for the "Misery Business" emo-rock mainstays through five studio albums and a handful of line-up changes. But never has Williams released a single under her name alone. That is, not until now.

Part of her previously announced Petals for Armor project, that new song — "Simmer" — is the sweltering debut solo joint from the Paramore vocalist. It arrived Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 22) after Williams teased the number the day prior. Listen to the tune and read its lyrics toward the bottom of this post.

On Tuesday (Jan. 21), Williams revealed that her "first offering" would arrive in the middle of the week. "'SIMMER,' drops 1.22.20," she relayed on Twitter. Hours later, the singer shared via Instagram that she's "so very grateful for the last year at home. [I] didn't realize I'd have such a thing to show for the time away. Tomorrow is only the start. I'm hardly prepared but I'm definitely proud."

It's not the first time the musician has teased her solo stuff. In a message from December 2019, Williams reflected on her 31st birthday with an eye toward a project in 2020. "I'm putting out some music next year," she said. "With the help of some of my closest friends, I made something I'm going to call my own. It's a really special project and you'll get a taste of it in January."

Thereafter, various audio and video cues of the imminent new music appeared across the singer's social media outposts. Those came appended with a website for the fresh Williams project. "Simmer" is the first release from the musician since Paramore's After Laughter album emerged in 2017.

Hayley Williams, "Simmer" (Official Audio)

[Enter "Simmer" YouTube or other song embed URL here]

Hayley Williams, "Simmer" Lyrics

[Enter "Simmer" lyrics here]

See Hayley Williams in the 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2020