Hayley Williams’ Petals for Armor project takes its name from an idea: “Being vulnerable,” she tells Apple Music, “is a shield. Because how else can you be a human that’s inevitably gonna fuck up, and trip in front of the world a million times?” This—the first EP in a series of three records, and her first proper solo release—finds the Paramore frontwoman submerging herself in feeling, following a period of intense personal struggle in the wake of 2017’s After Laughter. From rage (“Simmer”) to grief (“Leave It Alone”) to lust (“Sudden Desire”) and acceptance (“Cinnamon”), Williams smartly places the focus on her voice, lacing it through moody tangles of guitar and ambient sound a long way from the pop-punk of Paramore. (Bandmate Taylor York produced and Paramore touring member Joey Howard co-wrote as well.) It’s a bold and brave reintroduction, every emotion close enough to hold. “I’m terrified,” she says. “But I also feel more protected than I've ever felt going out. Because of the fact that I'm just like, what is there to hide really?”