For the past decade, the Ohio alternative superstars Twenty One Pilots have cultivated a deep lore starting with 2015’s Blurryface, and continued through the subsequent albums of 2018’s Trench, 2021’s Scaled and Icy, and seemingly concluded with last year’s Clancy. Yet the duo of Tyler Joseph (vocals) and Josh Dun (drums) left proceedings on a cliffhanger.
So perhaps predictably, their latest, Breach, continues the story. The yarn the duo has been spinning for ten years is a dystopian tale set in a fictional city called Dema. Dema is run by nine bishops, one of which is a titular character called Blurryface/Nico. With this setting, Joseph and Dun have grappled with powerful themes like mental health and depression, and facets of the music industry.
The story has been woven often seamlessly through the duos creative embrace of different genres. Atop Dun’s powerful, driven beats, Joseph provides deep basslines, soulful piano chords to accompany his characteristic vocals that dance between spoken, rapped, and even screamed. It can often be a frenetic mix, yet their uncanny knack for catchy melodies means their chaos tends to always go down smooth, as with their biggest hits “Stressed Out” and “Heathens”.
And Breach is much the same. The ambient and progressive “City Walls” opens, starting album eight on the front foot, brimming with energy. “RAWFEAR” follows with their trademark beat and shinning piano chord combination. But an early highlight comes on “Drum Show”. The attention has tended to shine more on Joseph, largely a result of his role as frontman, and openness with his mental wellbeing. Dun has happily played a supporting role, a role he plays with distinction behind his kit. Yet here, as Joseph pays tribute to his close friend, Dun has his moment on vocals in the bridge; a small yet impactful moment.
Although they are firmly in the mainstream spotlight, Twenty One Pilots is still at heart two friends making music for their own enjoyment; everyone else is just along for the ride. Overall, Breach concludes where Clancy left off, and though it doesn’t rewrite the script, it is earnest and often captivating. But the connection and interplay between Joseph and Dun makes this worthwhile too.
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