Paper Walls is the sixth studio album by American rock band Yellowcard, released on July 17, 2007.

Prior to the release of Lights and Sounds (2006), it was announced that guitarist Ben Harper had parted ways with the band.

[2] Lights and Sounds failed to reach sales expectations compared to their break-through album Ocean Avenue (2003).

[3] Violinist Sean Mackin called the group "a little too jaded" and Lights and Sounds "a little too dark ... We all went a bit too far."

[4] Sessions were held at Ocean Studios in Burbank, California, with producer Neal Avron, who also handled recording.

Tom Lord-Alge mixed the recordings, with assistance from Femio Hernandez, at South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida, before they were mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.

However, recently it has been said that "Shadows and Regrets" is about Scott Shad, former drummer of Inspection 12 and best friend of Ryan Key, who died in a car crash.

Throughout the months of October 2006 to March 2007, Yellowcard engaged in feedback response with their fans to somewhat suggest or influence the outcome of the upcoming album.

When asked about the direction of the album, Ryan Mendez responded that this follow-up to Lights and Sounds "has the energy and intensity that Ocean Avenue had and some similarities, but not necessarily exactly the same".

The first Yellowcard show since October 2006, when the album began production, took place on March 29, 2007 at the Troubadour in Hollywood, California.

Alongside this, "Fighting" was made available for streaming via the band's Myspace account, followed by "Light up the Sky" the next day.

[13] A few days later, the cover art for the album was posted on the band's MySpace profile, along with new promotional pictures.

The cover art of the album shows the night skyline of Jacksonville, Florida, the band's hometown.

[17] From late September to mid November, the group went on a tour of the U.S. with support from Ozma, Shiny Toy Guns and Lovedrug.

Jason Tate, webmaster of absolutepunk.net said it is "the best "pop-punk" album of the past 5 or so years"[32] and Drew Beringer claims it to be "like Ocean Avenue, but with more balls."