After a series of cryptic messages hinting towards the themes and lyrics of their new album, Twenty One Pilots have returned from their year long hiatus with their newest full-length LP ‘Trench’. The duo first released four singles: Jumpsuit, Nico and the Niners, Levitate, and My Blood toward the start of the fall season. After much praise from their fans regarding their new hard-hitting Muse influenced rocker Jumpsuit and reggae inspired pop hit Nico and the Niners, they have finally released all 14 new tracks after three years of waiting.
Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have brilliantly constructed the DEMA Universe, similar to the character Blurryface that appeared on the band’s previous album. The lyrics of the album revolve around a mysterious character, Nico, and journey through the universe with an organization called Bandito. Trench’s dystopian themes manage to have similar effects to that of a sci-fi film.
Tyler’s lyrical prowess reaches its peak in the song Neon Gravestones where he delves into the sensitive topics of suicide, the outbreak of young celebrity deaths, and the Netflix show “Thirteen Reasons Why”. The beat remains minimal, while the lyrics contain the main complexities of the track. He starts off the song inviting the listener to join him on a journey to the “bottom underneath the insane asylum,” expressing his desire to look at more than just the surface level appearance of these issues. He then proceeds to provide a commentary on the current popular culture’s response to celebrity deaths: giving them the “highest of praise” thus portraying the message that suicide may be an option with these positive benefits. He notes that this awareness is in fact helping beat the stigma surrounding mental illness, but it is only providing one point of view.
He notes that some may be tempted to use this portrayal of suicide as a message that it can be “used as a weapon” – which many critics believe is about the Netflix Original, “Thirteen Reasons Why” since the main character of the show blames her suicide on several of her classmates and gains sympathy.
Twenty One Pilots’ sophomore studio album Vessel discussed many of the same themes as Trench, providing a complex commentary on personal struggles with mental illness. This newest album, however, is more cryptic and requires a more involved ear in order to fully comprehend the messages of the music.
Trench showed the duo’s artistry mature greatly, and I am excited to see where they continue to take their new, inventive sound.
Overview
Best Tracks: Neon Gravestones, Nico And The Niners, Cut My Lip, Bandito
Perfect For: Singing along to with your friends
Rating: 9/10
Lend Me Your Ears 