Paramore Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Few bands have navigated reinvention as skillfully as Paramore. Their journey from fiery pop-punk heroes to new-wave innovators is a story told across six incredible studio albums.

This creates a fascinating challenge when trying to rank their discography. Which record stands as the definitive fan favorite?

Here, we explore the Paramore albums ranked primarily by deep-rooted fan sentiment. We're looking at what the community holds dearest to find what many consider the best Paramore album.

Afterward, we'll see how popularity data tells a slightly different story.

Ranking Paramore's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Riot! (2007)

This is the second studio album from Paramore, a powerful follow-up to their debut.

The record explored a range of styles but never strayed far from the band's signature pop-punk sound. Critics at the time praised its undeniable catchiness and noted its massive crossover potential.

The album was a huge commercial success. It was certified triple-platinum in the United States, with its lead single "Misery Business" becoming a true breakthrough hit that brought the band to a mainstream audience.

Key tracks:

• Misery Business
• That's What You Get

Taking the top spot in our fan ranking, Riot! is an absolute titan in Paramore's catalog. For countless listeners, this album was a defining sound of the 2000s.

Its explosive energy, anthemic choruses, and raw lyrical honesty cemented a bond with fans that remains incredibly strong to this day.

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2. Paramore (2013)

Paramore's self-titled fourth album marked a significant moment of change and growth. It was the first album recorded without founding members Josh and Zac Farro, who had departed in 2010.

The record saw the band pushing their musical boundaries. They experimented with new sounds and styles, leading to a diverse tracklist that included the Grammy-winning song "Ain't It Fun."

It remains their only album to feature a constantly changing lineup, with Hayley Williams as the sole member to appear on all six studio releases.

Key tracks:

• Still into You
• Ain't It Fun

The self-titled record is a clear fan favorite, celebrated for its bold ambition and victorious spirit. It proved Paramore could not only survive a major lineup change but thrive in its wake.

Fans often point to its sprawling, 17-track journey as a testament to the band's resilience and creative rebirth.

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3. Brand New Eyes (2009)

Brand New Eyes is Paramore's third studio album and the follow-up to their massively successful Riot!. It was recorded in California with producer Rob Cavallo.

The album was praised by critics for its mature songwriting and musical growth. It would be the final album to feature founding members Josh and Zac Farro before their departure in 2010.

It was a global success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and topping the charts in several other countries, including the UK and Australia.

Key tracks:

• The Only Exception
• All I Wanted

This album holds a special, emotionally charged place in the hearts of fans. It captures a band at a crossroads, wrestling with internal turmoil while producing some of their most poignant and powerful work.

Songs like "The Only Exception" and "All I Wanted" showcase a vulnerability that deeply resonates with the fanbase, securing its high rank.

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4. All We Know Is Falling (2005)

This is the debut studio album from Paramore, released in 2005. The album's creation was marked by the temporary departure of bassist Jeremy Davis, which became a central theme for the record.

This theme is reflected in the album's title and its cover art, which features a vacant couch. While not an immediate commercial giant, the album built a dedicated following through word of mouth and constant touring.

Over time, All We Know Is Falling has been labeled a "scene classic" and earned gold certifications in both the US and the UK after the band's later success.

Key tracks:

• Pressure
• Emergency

The debut album's strong standing shows the deep appreciation fans have for the band's roots. It's raw, earnest, and full of the youthful angst that first put Paramore on the map.

For many longtime listeners, this album represents the very beginning of their journey with the band, making it a highly cherished part of the discography.

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5. After Laughter (2017)

After Laughter is the band's fifth studio album and represented a dramatic sonic shift. The record saw Paramore fully embrace a 1980s-inspired new-wave and synth-pop sound.

It marked the official return of drummer Zac Farro, who had left in 2010. The album was produced by guitarist Taylor York along with Justin Meldal-Johnsen.

In stark contrast to its vibrant and upbeat sound, the album's lyrics explore heavy themes of exhaustion, depression, and anxiety. It received widespread critical acclaim upon its release.

Key tracks:

• Hard Times
• Rose-Colored Boy

While critically adored, After Laughter's position in the fan ranking often sparks debate. Its departure from the band's rock roots was a bold move that some fans embraced immediately, while others took longer to connect with it.

The album's genius lies in its lyrical depth hidden beneath shimmering pop hooks, a combination that has earned it a fiercely loyal following.

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6. This Is Why (2023)

This Is Why is the sixth and most recent studio album from Paramore. It arrived after a six-year break, the longest gap between albums in the band's history.

The record features the return of the lineup of Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and Zac Farro. It draws heavily from post-punk and art-rock influences, continuing the band's musical evolution.

The album was met with critical acclaim and went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, a major milestone for the band.

Key tracks:

• This Is Why
• Crave

As the band's newest work, This Is Why is still finding its long-term place within the fan hierarchy. Its jittery, anxious energy and mature themes present a different side of Paramore.

Its placement reflects an album that is complex and layered. Over time, many fans will likely find its raw honesty and intricate musicianship increasingly rewarding.

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Picked your top Paramore classic? Check out Paramore's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Paramore albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Paramore's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	Paramore	2013
2	After Laughter	2017
3	Riot!	2007
4	Brand New Eyes	2009
5	All We Know Is Falling	2005
6	This Is Why	2023

Quick FAQs about Paramore's albums

Q: Why is the album called Riot!?

A: Hayley Williams explained that the title came from their writing process. The band's thoughts and emotions were coming out so fast that they couldn't control them, comparing the feeling to a riot.

Q: What is the story behind the song "Misery Business"?

A: The song's honest lyrics were inspired by a post Hayley Williams made on the band's LiveJournal. She asked fans to share things they were ashamed of, and their responses encouraged the track's candid songwriting.

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So there you have it, a detailed look at the Paramore albums ranked by both fan love and current data.

Each perspective tells a valuable part of the story, from the raw energy of their debut to the polished pop and post-punk of their later work.

The "best" Paramore album is ultimately a personal choice. It's tied to the moments and memories these songs have soundtracked in our own lives.

What does your ranking look like?