Everyone’s favorite alternative snow-mask wearers return to show their Blurryface.
https://vimeo.com/128101346
Text Review:
Every now and then you get a creative group who over the course of a few years becomes a phenomenon and commands a legion of fans, all without sacrificing identity or giving into trends and sales patterns. It does not happen as often as it should, but there are still musicians who maintain their merit through continuing to hold to two things: their own individual music, and their own individual personality.
The two men of Twenty One Pilots may be the perfect example of musicians in the alternative rock scene not only having the time of their lives, but being entirely creative and individual as they want. After a relatively short time since the group’s formation in 2009, these Ohio natives have literally become one of the most sought after music acts in the industry and to this day have some of the best concert sales throughout the US and Europe.
After several featured songs from 2013’s Vessel, they have toured with bands like Neon Trees and Walk The Moon and now run their own headlining shows throughout full sized arenas. Needless to say, expectations are high for the next full album.
When making a album artists may have different focuses for the process. In the press release for Blurryface, Tyler Joseph said, “The one thing Josh and I always had in mind when we were making this record was: How is this going to look and feel live? We were so influenced by the live show. A lot of the writing came from wanting to Create something that we would actually love playing in front of people every night.”
Words like creativity and individuality sound great when describing music and their artists, but do not add up if the finished project doesn’t represent that. So our first look at the new album Blurryface came in the song Tear In My Heart, which undeniably had the feel of two masked men on stage playing their hearts out.
If you are at all familiar with Twenty One Pilots then you can identify Tear In My Heart as their song after 20 seconds into the track. If ever there was a perfect example of a 21st century love song then this song would be it. The piano keys and powerful drums all come through strong with a beautiful chorus that is robust and vibrant. It’s obvious why this song should have been the track to get people excited about Blurryface.
My only real complaint with the song is what many people have already said online in that the bridge, or the driving in a car sing-a-long REALLY takes you out of the song. While the song would have undeniably been way to short without this section, I can’t help but shake the feeling that the song feels disjointed because of this off road venture into a mini song before jumping head first back into the original music.
Regardless of the nitpick and my own personal opinion, this song still stands out as a fully trademarked style by Twenty One Pilots. And that may be their greatest strength: regardless of the style of song they choose, from alternative rock, to hip hop, to reggae, to island sing-a-long, the image of these two men are drenched in the rhythm of each song they write.
I love the energy in the choruses within Blurryface. Songs like Heavydirtysoul, We Don’t Believe What’s On TV and Polarize all capture the same power that Tear In My Heart possesses. It’s the electronic rhythm infused with the piano that stand out, but it’s the vocals and masterful drumwork by Josh Dun that meld everything together.
The only downside to having so many different styles in the same album is that it can be difficult to flow from track to track. Not every song will be for every listener. That being said though, it is undeniably unique and interesting to play this album from beginning to end and marvel that the pure talent and creativity level that is featured throughout here. Even if not every song is something to connect with and you may feel like skipping one style, you are almost guaranteed to find another song you love shortly after.
To restate Tyler Joseph’s quote, they made this record with the mindset of how these songs would come off live. After listening to Blurryface it is undeniable that their focus paid off in huge waves. Each song on this album can easily be imagined by these two jumping into the pit mid-song just to have the crowd sing along for them.
Overall, Blurryface is the perfect example of what two artists are capable of when they aren’t restricted and don’t have to hold back. Even if every song isn’t something that every alt-rock fan will love, it’s undeniable that there is something here for everyone, including the die-hard twenty one pilots fans.
