Embedded Files
by Joanna Gormley
Who: Twenty One Pilots
Who: Twenty One Pilots
An American musical duo originating from Columbus, Ohio
- People typically have trouble affiliating the band to a specific genre to describe them, since they bridge so many.
- The band's musical style has been described as alternative hip hop, electropop, indie pop, and rock.
- "Schizophrenic pop" (also known as Schizoid pop), a technically unofficial subgenre of pop.
- Tyler Joseph: Lead vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, ukulele, bass
- Josh Dun: Drums, percussion, trumpet, backing vocals
- The band name: Tyler explained the origin of their name "Twenty One Pilots" in a Facebook post in 2010. In brief, Tyler came up with the band's name while studying All My Sons by Arthur Miller, a play about a man who must decide what is best for his family after knowingly sending out faulty airplane parts for the good of his business and causing the death of twenty-one pilots during World War II.
- They often wear black paint on various parts of their body in music videos and performances. Josh commented on this, saying "Insecurity for me feels like the sensation of suffocating. So that’s why I do the neck thing. The other thing I’m most insecure about is saying, ‘This is what I created. This is mine. This is the best I can do.’ "So there’s black on my hands to represent that. The live show is a moment where that character is realized and confronted and hopefully conquered. As the show goes on, the make-up starts to wear away.”
When: May 17, 2015
When: May 17, 2015
- The band's fourth studio album.
- Originally set to be released on May 19, 2015, it was released two days earlier on May 17, via iTunes.
- The band released their new single "Fairly Local" on March 17, 2015 accompanied by its music video which premiered on the official Fueled by Ramen YouTube channel.
- On April 6, the band released the second single of the album, "Tear in My Heart", with an official music video released through YouTube.
- The third single, "Stressed Out", was released on April 28 with a music video.
- On May 4, 2015, the band posted a YouTube video streaming the audio of the album's 6th track, "Lane Boy", and released "Ride" seven days later through the same media; both were also singles, being released on the 4th and 12th, respectively.
- "Heavydirtysoul" was released as a single on December 9, 2016.
- Twenty One Pilots had their first tour which focused on the Blurryface album in 2015, entitled Blurryface Tour, it was an international tour, in which the duo performed 113 shows across the globe.
- Twenty One Pilots began the Emotional Roadshow World Tour in 2016, which focuses mainly on the Blurryface album and character.
How: released under Fueled by Ramen
How: released under Fueled by Ramen
- All tracks were written by Tyler Joseph.
- "Heavydirtysoul", "Ride", "Fairly Local", "Tear in My Heart", "Lane Boy" and "Doubt" were recorded with producer Ricky Reed at Serenity West Recording in Hollywood, California.
- "Stressed Out", "Polarize", "Hometown" and "Not Today" were recorded with producer Mike Elizondo at Can Am in Tarzana, California.
- "Ride" was recorded with Reed at Sonic Lounge Studios in Grove City, Ohio.
- "The Judge" was recorded with producer Mike Crossey at Livingston Studios in London.
- "We Don't Believe What's on TV" and "Goner" were recorded with Reed at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.
- "Message Man" was recorded with Tim Anderson at Werewolf Heart in Los Angeles, California.
- The album was mixed by Neal Avron, with assistance from Scott Skrzynski, at The Casita in Hollywood, California.
- The album was mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound in New York City.
Why:
Why:
- The album is named after a character the band created called Blurryface. According to Tyler, he "represents all the things that I as an individual, but also everyone around, are insecure about." Blurryface represents insecurity, and is a force that works against the positive creative mind of the Tyler.
- The red on the Blurryface album artwork is "the color of passion, violence, and anger."
Song Breakdown:
Song Breakdown:
- Heavydirtysoul
- The beginning of the song sounds like it is building up to something. It quickly intensifies and the drums kick in. The instrumentation sounds very electronic besides the drums. Tyler because his very unique form of rapping. Then transitions into singing the chorus, “Can you save my heavy dirty soul, from me”. Very fast tempo, especially during the rap parts. Clapping sounds effects. The drums carry the melody for the majority of the song. The song fades out with the same sound effects heard at the beginning The rap parts serve as verses, and the singing parts serve as the refrain. The lyrics speak about his soul and his mind as if they are their own person that he needs to be saved from.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: 1. "There's an infestation in my mind's imagination. I hope that they choke on smoke 'cause I'm smoking them out the basement." This is the first reference to the character of Blurryface. Blurryface is the infestation, an intruder and a negative influence. 2. "Can you save my heavy dirty soul?" Tyler is asking for help to fight of Blurryface.
- The beginning of the song sounds like it is building up to something. It quickly intensifies and the drums kick in. The instrumentation sounds very electronic besides the drums. Tyler because his very unique form of rapping. Then transitions into singing the chorus, “Can you save my heavy dirty soul, from me”. Very fast tempo, especially during the rap parts. Clapping sounds effects. The drums carry the melody for the majority of the song. The song fades out with the same sound effects heard at the beginning The rap parts serve as verses, and the singing parts serve as the refrain. The lyrics speak about his soul and his mind as if they are their own person that he needs to be saved from.
- Stressed Out
- Much slower tempo than Heavydirtysoul. Drums kick in immediately. More electronic sound effects. Tyler begins with being somewhere in between rapping and singing. The refrain references “blurryface”. Again, the drums carry the melody. The song talks about wanting to go back in time, when they were younger and life was simpler. The chorus says “My names blurryface and I care what you think.” Tyler’s insecurities are the main theme of the album.The refrain repeats several times. This is the first song that we hear the robot sounding voice, which represents blurry face.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: 1. "My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think." These lyrics are from the point of view of Blurryface. This shows that Blurryface is the side of Tyler that makes music geared towards other people’s wants, not music that is a representation of his true self. 2. "Wake up, you need to make money." This is sung in the deep voice of Blurryface. Many people are in the music industry on a mission to make a huge profit. Tyler and Josh have said before that this is not their motivation. However, it is what motivated Blurryface. So when Blurryface says this he is pressuring Tyler to prioritize making a profit.
- Much slower tempo than Heavydirtysoul. Drums kick in immediately. More electronic sound effects. Tyler begins with being somewhere in between rapping and singing. The refrain references “blurryface”. Again, the drums carry the melody. The song talks about wanting to go back in time, when they were younger and life was simpler. The chorus says “My names blurryface and I care what you think.” Tyler’s insecurities are the main theme of the album.The refrain repeats several times. This is the first song that we hear the robot sounding voice, which represents blurry face.
- Ride
- Begins immediately sounding very different than the previous two songs. Much less punk sounding. Drums are a main focus again. Has a beachy, summery sound. Keyboard is used. Electronic sounds. Tempo is not too fast or too slow, somewhere in the middle. However, the tempo does slow down in the middle of the song for a verse that is sang much slower and quieter. Then a sections focussed on the drums begins. Followed by and ending with the repetition of the slow song.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: "I've been thinking too much (Help me)." This seems to suggest that overthinking is something that causes issues for Tyler. This may be under the negative influence of Blurryface. At the end of the lyric, Tyler is asking that someone help him stop thinking too much.
- Begins immediately sounding very different than the previous two songs. Much less punk sounding. Drums are a main focus again. Has a beachy, summery sound. Keyboard is used. Electronic sounds. Tempo is not too fast or too slow, somewhere in the middle. However, the tempo does slow down in the middle of the song for a verse that is sang much slower and quieter. Then a sections focussed on the drums begins. Followed by and ending with the repetition of the slow song.
- Fairly Local
- Very different sound than the previous sounds. Most similar to Heavydirtysoul. Much slower tempo. Sounds haunting. Drums are a major part of the song yet again. The song is a mix of slower rap sections and singing. The refrain is the singing parts, and the raps are the verses. Again, we hear the robot voice representing blurryface. Clapping sound effects are used again. Some of the sound effects sound similar to string instruments.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: "Yo, this song will never be on the radio." This is in the voice of Blurryface. This is referencing how the media critiqued the depressing themes on the band's first album, Vessel. Joseph has said before that he is always deciding whether he wants to change his musical style to be more in line with the sound of the radio, or whether he would rather miss out on airplay before he changes his musical style. These lyrics seems to imply that the voice inside Tyler's head, Blurryface, is wanting him to conform because his style doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the music on the radio.
- Very different sound than the previous sounds. Most similar to Heavydirtysoul. Much slower tempo. Sounds haunting. Drums are a major part of the song yet again. The song is a mix of slower rap sections and singing. The refrain is the singing parts, and the raps are the verses. Again, we hear the robot voice representing blurryface. Clapping sound effects are used again. Some of the sound effects sound similar to string instruments.
- Tear In My Heart
- Again, very different sounding than the previous songs. Sounds most similar to Ride, having the lighter, happier, and more upbeat sound. Begins with drum sticks being hit against one another. Followed by a keyboard and drums section. This is the first song that an instrument besides the drums is a main focus. The keyboard continues throughout the song. Tempo is pretty fast, besides the parts where Tyler is speaking more than he is singing. Snapping sounds are used in the middle of the song, during a section when other instruments are put on hold for the most part. This verse is sang twice in a row twice during the section. Following this the song picks up tempo and instruments once again. The tempo becomes very fast, and then suddenly drops off for the end of the song. Ends with the keyboard and singing.
- Lyrics that have to do with the concept: "She's the tear in my heart, I’m alive." This song is about how Tyler's wife, Jenna, has helped fight off Blurryface and all the personal struggles for Tyler. This lyric and the title of the song is referring to Jenna essentially tearing open Tyler's heart and ripping out Blurryface. This is especially evident in the music video, where Jenna is shown beating Tyler to the point that he bleeds. This is supposed to visually represent Jenna beating Blurryface out of Tyler.
- Again, very different sounding than the previous songs. Sounds most similar to Ride, having the lighter, happier, and more upbeat sound. Begins with drum sticks being hit against one another. Followed by a keyboard and drums section. This is the first song that an instrument besides the drums is a main focus. The keyboard continues throughout the song. Tempo is pretty fast, besides the parts where Tyler is speaking more than he is singing. Snapping sounds are used in the middle of the song, during a section when other instruments are put on hold for the most part. This verse is sang twice in a row twice during the section. Following this the song picks up tempo and instruments once again. The tempo becomes very fast, and then suddenly drops off for the end of the song. Ends with the keyboard and singing.
- Lane Boy
- Once again, a very different sound. Begins with a guitar, followed by the drums. Alternates between rapping and something between singing and speaking. Each rap section is a bit fast than the previous. The tempo picks up as the song goes on. Songs talks about the expectation that an artist has to stay within one very specific genre and the common sound of songs on the radio. The tempo begins to pick up and many electronic sound effects kick in, along with the blurry face robot voice briefly. Almost sounds like an EDM song during the middle instrumental section. The song sounds like it ends, then it picks up again with an instrumental section with the slower tempo heard in the beginning of the song. Then it picks up slightly once again.
- Lyrics that have to do with the concept: 1. "But I know a thing or two about pain and darkness. If it wasn't for this music, I don't know how I would've fought this." This lyric if referencing issues that Tyler has battled with, possibly made worse by Blurryface. It mentions how without music to turn to, he wouldn't have been able to fight it or Blurryface. 2. "Honest, There's a few songs on this record that feel common." The entire song critiques the music industry and its tendency to influence artists to change their music to conform to the sound of the radio. This lyric shows that Tyler is very concerned with this and he does not want to be influenced by the pressures of the industry.
- Once again, a very different sound. Begins with a guitar, followed by the drums. Alternates between rapping and something between singing and speaking. Each rap section is a bit fast than the previous. The tempo picks up as the song goes on. Songs talks about the expectation that an artist has to stay within one very specific genre and the common sound of songs on the radio. The tempo begins to pick up and many electronic sound effects kick in, along with the blurry face robot voice briefly. Almost sounds like an EDM song during the middle instrumental section. The song sounds like it ends, then it picks up again with an instrumental section with the slower tempo heard in the beginning of the song. Then it picks up slightly once again.
- The Judge
- The song begins with a strange sound effect that almost sounds like wind, or moving air. It quickens and builds up to the beginning of the song. Then a ukulele chimes in. Tyler then begins singing “na na na na oh oh”, followed by a verse. This is a very different sound than anything we have heard before on the album. The drms do not begin until a minute into the song. The ukulele is the main instrumental focus. Very slow tempo at the beginning. The tempo picks up when the drums kick in and the refrain begins. Sounds very upbeat. The “na na na na oh oh”s continue throughout the song. Small and slow rap section in the middle, followed by the refrain. Keyboard is introduced towards the end of the song. The refrain is sang with both a fast and slow tempo during the song.
- Lyrics that have to do with the concept: "I don't know if this song is a surrender or a revel, I don't know if this one is about me or the devil." This entire song is about Tyler wanting to confess for things that he is done and have his soul be punished. This lyric is about not knowing whether the song about him or Blurryface. It seems that he is trying to decide to what extent Blurryface is responsible and accountable for any negative things Tyler has done.
- The song begins with a strange sound effect that almost sounds like wind, or moving air. It quickens and builds up to the beginning of the song. Then a ukulele chimes in. Tyler then begins singing “na na na na oh oh”, followed by a verse. This is a very different sound than anything we have heard before on the album. The drms do not begin until a minute into the song. The ukulele is the main instrumental focus. Very slow tempo at the beginning. The tempo picks up when the drums kick in and the refrain begins. Sounds very upbeat. The “na na na na oh oh”s continue throughout the song. Small and slow rap section in the middle, followed by the refrain. Keyboard is introduced towards the end of the song. The refrain is sang with both a fast and slow tempo during the song.
- Doubt
- Begins with electronic sounds, then the keyboard kicks in, followed by the drums. Sounds like a mix between rap and EDM. “Shaking hands with the dark parts of my thoughts”. Fairly slow tempo. “Don’t forget about me” repeats several times.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: 1. "Shaking hands with the dark parts of my thoughts." This is referencing Blurryface as the dark parts of his thoughts. Blurryface is all the dark and negative aspects of Tyler. He brings Tyler down as a whole. 2. "Hope you haven't left without me, please." This lyric is begging for someone to not leave without him. This seems to be out of fear. Tyler might feel that he can not beat Blurryface without the help of someone else. He doesn't want to have to fight alone.
- Begins with electronic sounds, then the keyboard kicks in, followed by the drums. Sounds like a mix between rap and EDM. “Shaking hands with the dark parts of my thoughts”. Fairly slow tempo. “Don’t forget about me” repeats several times.
- Polarize
- Singing begins very quickly. Clapping sound effect used again. Other instruments include the keyboard, drums, and electronic sounds. Singing is mostly closer to speaking or rapping. Not the typical singing. Song slows down during the middle of the song, then the tempo picks up and the song builds up to the refrain, “help me polarize.” Talks about having “real problems.”
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: "Help me polarize, help me polarize, Help me out, My friends and I have problems." This lyrics mentions that Tyler has problems. This album references personal problems that are negatively influenced by Blurryface many times. Again, Tyler is asking for help.
- Singing begins very quickly. Clapping sound effect used again. Other instruments include the keyboard, drums, and electronic sounds. Singing is mostly closer to speaking or rapping. Not the typical singing. Song slows down during the middle of the song, then the tempo picks up and the song builds up to the refrain, “help me polarize.” Talks about having “real problems.”
- We Don’t Believe What’s On T.V.
- Begins with drums, follows by the ukulele. Immediately sounds very upbeat and has a fast tempo. The tempo slows down and a trumpet makes an appearance for the refrain. Then the beat picks up again before the second verse, which is announced at “second verse.” The refrain again has a slow tempo and a trumpet. Then picks up again and has “ya ya ya” repeated several times before the end.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: "I need to know that when I fail you'll still be here." Similar to in Doubt, Tyler is expressing how badly he does not want to be alone. He is worried that if he is not successful, someone will leave his side. Again, he does not want to have to fight Blurryface on his own.
- Begins with drums, follows by the ukulele. Immediately sounds very upbeat and has a fast tempo. The tempo slows down and a trumpet makes an appearance for the refrain. Then the beat picks up again before the second verse, which is announced at “second verse.” The refrain again has a slow tempo and a trumpet. Then picks up again and has “ya ya ya” repeated several times before the end.
- Message Man
- Begins with the keyboard, followed by the drums. Slow tempo. Background vocals saying “eh eh eh eh” occur many times throughout the song. Clapping sound effects used. Rap section in the middle of the song. Refrain is repeated several times. Song fades out with various instruments.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: 1. "A loser hides behind a mask of my disguise." These lyrics reference Blurryface, calling him the loser hidden by Tyler. Like in previous songs, it implies that Blurryface is within Tyler. 2. "You don't know my brain the way you know my name, You don't know my heart the way you know my face." These lyrics are suggesting that people don't know Tyler as well as they think they might. They don't know the Blurryface side of Tyler.
- Begins with the keyboard, followed by the drums. Slow tempo. Background vocals saying “eh eh eh eh” occur many times throughout the song. Clapping sound effects used. Rap section in the middle of the song. Refrain is repeated several times. Song fades out with various instruments.
- Hometown
- High pitched singing begins immediately, along with the keyboard. Then drums begin. Pitch drops to a more typical singing voice for the refrain. The refrain has two sections, one sung in a very high pitch and one in a very low pitch. The verses are more so spoken. Singing stops towards the end and most of the instruments drop out besides a guitar sounding melody, the tempo slows. Then electronic sounds are added in, followed by the drums and the keyboard and the tempo picks up again. The song fades out with “ooh ooh”s and the keyboard and electronic sound that sounds like a violin.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: "Be the one, be the one, To take my soul and make it undone," These lyrics are expressing hope that Tyler has found someone to help fight off the dark part of his soul, Blurryface. It is again made clear that Tyler seems to think that he can't beat Blurryface alone.
- High pitched singing begins immediately, along with the keyboard. Then drums begin. Pitch drops to a more typical singing voice for the refrain. The refrain has two sections, one sung in a very high pitch and one in a very low pitch. The verses are more so spoken. Singing stops towards the end and most of the instruments drop out besides a guitar sounding melody, the tempo slows. Then electronic sounds are added in, followed by the drums and the keyboard and the tempo picks up again. The song fades out with “ooh ooh”s and the keyboard and electronic sound that sounds like a violin.
- Not Today
- Begins with the guitar. Tyler sings a verse and then the keyboard chimes in mid verse. After the verse the drums kick in. The refrain is sung in a higher pitch, and the trumpet makes another appearance along with the keyboard. At the end of the refrain the trumpet starts and the drums begin again. Refrain repeats again. Tempo slows towards the end, then picks up again for the refrain. “Bah bah bah” is repeated several times.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: 1. "You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side, You waste all this time trying to get to me, But you are out of my mind" 2. "I'm, I'm out of my mind, I'm not seeing things right, I waste all this time trying to run from you, But I'm, I'm out of my mind." These two sets of lyrics are very similar to each other. One is about how Blurryface has wasted time trying to get to Tyler. This suggests that Tyler is no longer afraid of Blurryface, he won't let Blurryface get to him. The other is about how Tyler has wasted time trying to run from Blurryface. It seems that he has realized that it is better to face Blurryface head on, rather than trying to run from him. He sounds confident in his ability to fight off Blurryface.
- Begins with the guitar. Tyler sings a verse and then the keyboard chimes in mid verse. After the verse the drums kick in. The refrain is sung in a higher pitch, and the trumpet makes another appearance along with the keyboard. At the end of the refrain the trumpet starts and the drums begin again. Refrain repeats again. Tempo slows towards the end, then picks up again for the refrain. “Bah bah bah” is repeated several times.
- Goner
- Begins with the keyboard. Immediately sounds very sad and down. The tempo is very slow for the first verse, then the drums kick in and the tempo begins to pick up for the refrain. Then the drums stop and the tempo slows again for the next verse. Then the drums slow fade in and the tempo picks up for the refrain once again. Then the refrain is repeated once again and the the tempo gets even faster. Then it slows again and he repeats “Don’t let me be gone several times.” Then he screams “Don’t let me be” and the tempo quickens and the song gets very intense sounding. The tempo is much faster at the end of the song and Tyler screams many of the lyrics. This ends the album in a very intense and powerful way.
- Lyrics that relate to the concept: 1. "I've got two faces, blurry's the one I'm not, I need your help to take him out." These lyrics say that Tyler has two faces, his own and Blurryface. He again says that he needs help to separate the two. 1. "I'm a goner" These lyrics are from the point of view of Blurryface. He is dying at the hands of Tyler. The album ends with Tyler finally defeating Blurryface.
- Live performance:
- Begins with the keyboard. Immediately sounds very sad and down. The tempo is very slow for the first verse, then the drums kick in and the tempo begins to pick up for the refrain. Then the drums stop and the tempo slows again for the next verse. Then the drums slow fade in and the tempo picks up for the refrain once again. Then the refrain is repeated once again and the the tempo gets even faster. Then it slows again and he repeats “Don’t let me be gone several times.” Then he screams “Don’t let me be” and the tempo quickens and the song gets very intense sounding. The tempo is much faster at the end of the song and Tyler screams many of the lyrics. This ends the album in a very intense and powerful way.
Final Observations
Final Observations
- Musical Elements
- After listening to the album all the way through a couple of times, I noticed some musical elements that repeated in most of the songs. Tyler does something in most Twenty One Pilots songs that not many artists do, he both sings and raps in the same songs. He often goes back and forth between the two styles. I noticed that most of the time the refrains are sung and the verses are rapped. The form of the song is very easy to detect because of this. The song often changes fairly drastically going from verses to the refrain and back. Often times the tempo, dynamic, and instrumentation changes during the transition. Other common threads that I noticed are the clapping sound effect occurs in many songs and their use of chants such as "hey hey hey" or "ya ya ya." Yet, despite having so many common elements in the 14 songs on the album, I don't think any two songs sound the same.
- Overall Concept and Storyline
- The album is a true concept album, with a storyline that progresses song by song. It begins by introducing who Blurryface is. Throughout the album Tyler is battling his depression, anxiety, and Blurryface. Tyler asks for help to defeat Blurryface many times. He doesn't seem to have confidence that he can get through it on his own. Each time he seems to have made some progress in the battle, he falls behind again in the next song. He finally stands up to Blurry face during the last two songs. The album tells a story that I think many people can relate too, as many people feel like they have inner demons at times. Many people in the world are fighting a battle against their depression, anxiety, and insecurities right at this very moment. I think that Blurryface does a great job of telling the story of someone who fought through it relentlessly and got through it. Although this is a story that many people are familiar with, I don't think that all people have faith that they will reach the same ending. This album likely means a great deal to many people.
Works Cited
Works Cited
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_One_Pilots
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blurryface
- http://rocketmusiccollective.com/twenty-one-pilots-who-is-blurry-face/
- http://teamrock.com/news/2015-11-09/twenty-one-pilots-josh-explains-stage-makeup
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