This is the ninth in a 13 post long series about my favorite artists and their best music. To check out my previous entry on this series, click here.
Weird as heck. I love it. And that's how these guys like it, breaking every "rule" that one might have in the music industry (they even have a song about doing so). Whether rhyming, rapping, or just going absolutely bananas, Twenty One Pilots has taken their game to the next level with each album, culminating in one of epic proportions: Blurryface.
Writer/bassist/pianist/ukulelist/everythingman Tyler Joesph and drummer Josh Dun have set themselves apart, rising to the top due to their heteroclite songs and over the top performances.
Favorite Artists of All Time Series
Twenty One Pilots
Ranking: #5
Genre: Undefinable
Best Song: Stressed Out
Yeah. It's impossible to define TOP (Twenty One Pilots). From their name to their confusing lyrics to their befuddling and disoriented sounds, I often feel blown away and don't know what to do with my life after a long engrossment of these guys. And I mean that in the best way possible. They're inability to be defined is what makes them so attractive. If I had to put a theme on their music that's a little easier for me to do; the majority of their songs focus on the mind: anxiety, depression, suicide, insanity, and finding or losing one's self (their content is heavy and maybe even disturbing.) While other songs like "Tear In My Heart" and "House Of Gold" are lighter and focus on the love and emotions of the heart, even those are connected to the aforementioned themes of the mind. More so, Tyler Joseph's Christian upbringing has played a huge role in the music, to which young people can relate and hear. His writing and passion to show that there is hope in all the pain helps transcend listeners to a higher place, and in many songs is very obviously crying out to God to save him from his worst enemy: himself.
Like any great artist, TOP stays true to themselves throughout each album and song, which is super important as it helps maintain their identity. Of course what exactly that identity is we aren't sure. But through their staying true, we "know" them. As my brother quoted Potter Stewart the other day, "I know it when I see it." We know TOP when we hear them. I show random people an obscure TOP song and they almost every time correctly guess it as a TOP track, showing how unique but impactful their music has been on culture.
Slowly gaining traction with each release, TOP shook everything up with the album Blurryface in 2015, still not having to change their sound to do so. Hard, dedicated work does indeed payoff as Joseph's music tore through the sheet of traditional music, finally setting multiple chart records and winning a grammy last year in their underwear...
More on that later.
All mainstream media has been turned into a frenzy over two random dudes from Ohio who refuse to bend to the rules culture has at times put on us in regards to music with their song "Lane Boy" talking about just that.
Despite being comprised of just two guys, Twenty One Pilots has gained a reputation for their reckless performances making them one of the most electric and entertaining groups in the industry. Add multiple records, awards, and commercial successes, TOP have become a force to be reckoned with and will continue to crush the boundaries set for musicians, but even more so, the boundaries set on us as a culture.
"What does any of it mean???" has been asked by many. "Blurryface", "Twenty One Pilots", Tyler's tattoos, and pretty much any song they've written. Well, at least some of it Joseph has been willing to answer. According to him, "Blurryface", the "antagonist" of the titular album, is the manifestation of Joseph's dark and evil side, exemplifying the insecurities, flaws, guilt, and all the condemnation he deserves. That in and of itself is really cool. Who else would think to come up with that for the theme of an album? After Blurryface's release, Joseph dressed up as this creature for each performance and music video, painting his hands (including fingers) and arms pitch black, or sometimes toning it down, doing just his hands while wearing an all black outfit and even coloring his neck black, representing the darkness of his inner self. Songs like "The Judge" and "Heavendirtysoul" are most likely Joseph or "Blurryface" crying out to someone to save him - though he knows he deserves worse.
The happy yet dark sounds and lyrics are confusing and it seems that TOP doesn't want to stay on one side, acting as neither a glass half empty nor a glass half full group. They aren't exactly optimistic, but they aren't pessimistic... so what? Many songs are up for debate and are obscure in their meaning. And that's just how Joseph wants it. Bring on the talk and debate. It means his messages are getting through to a point where we all argue about what it could mean. The song "Message Man" is considered their most confusing song and yet it's awesome to just listen to. Could I tell you what it means exactly? Nope. But c'mon. It's just a cool track.
Joseph's main goal: to help young people know they are not alone in their depression and hurt. There is a hope to cling to through it all; whether it's your music, relationships, family, and for Joseph, his religion, there is hope.
"And I will say that we should take a day to break away from all the pain our brain has made. The game is not played alone. And I will say that we should take a moment and hold it and keep it frozen and know that life has a hopeful undertone." - lyrics from the song "Migraine"
A playlist I created for these guys. Enjoy.
Best Songs:
*Honorable Mentions:
House of Gold - Vessel; Any boy should sing this song to their mother, promising to take care of her even after his father is in the grave.
Polarize - Blurryface; We all hopefully wonder what's right and wrong, trying to figure out how to divide the good from the bad. Plus that bass line though...
Fall Away - Twenty One Pilots; Menacing at best. Lyrics are key here. Is he begging God to help him not fall away from him? Add a haunting melody of ooh's and la da's from a voice-layered Joseph, and this song will certainly have you depressed about a conflicted man.
Trees - Vessel and Regional At Best; Both believers and non-believers can be hit by the themes of isolation and desperation, wondering if our cries will be heard from God through all our struggles. This song barely misses the list. Highly reccomend it.
12. The Judge - Blurryface
I had the good pleasure of performing this song with some buddies at a conference. The "na na na"s and the ukulele drive the song, making it fun and inviting for everyone to join in. But the song itself: Joseph begins singing about the leader of the bad guys who is also singing in pain. Right off the bat we wonder if this is someone else or, of course, the titular Blurryface, as Joseph then switches to "I" and "me". Singing about a court room in which Joseph admits his wrongdoings, "The Judge" is the only one who can set him free (who is very obviously God). Comparing his state of mind to a house with light bulbs that have been going out, the overall theme of being lost and knowing he is condemned is contrasted with a very happy sound and upbeat rhythm.
11. Ride - Blurryface
TOP takes you for a ride, singing about how he thinks about the end - leading to thoughts of "who would you live for, who would you die for, and would you ever kill." Like many tunes, Joseph raps part of it. But like most, not all of it. For his music, he stated it as poetry to which he raps if he can't fit it all singing, using rap as more of a tool within the music. For a guy who just does it for usefulness' sake, he's pretty dope.
10. Migraine - Vessel
I deal with headaches and even migraines on a day to day basis. So needless to say this song immediately struck a cord with me. "Yay, someone knows what it's like." Of course, the migraine itself is just a catalyst for something much deeper: the great war that wages on behind our face and above our throats. Wondering how long before I'm lost and must we kill our minds in order to survive this shipwrecked island with all sorts of enemies such as tidal waves and "suicidal crazed lions". At the end there is hope. I quoted the bridge of the song above. And Joseph ends the song stating "but I know we've made it this far."
9. Tear In My Heart - Blurryface
A fun and hard beat is driven by Dun as Joseph pours out about the love of his life (he was inspired by his recent marriage to Jenna Black) in this lighter song. I think we all know the bridge is the best part. Brilliant lyrics show us a picture of day to day companionship in a way (from the man's perspective of course) that's really quite fun. To all men: if you've ever had that special someone, you know when she uses words, they rip you apart more than anyone else's, showing us why she will always be that tear in our heart. Cutting us deeper then we've ever been cut, proving that all relationships come with their ups and downs. The fact that the words from our loved one tears us that much more, reminds Joseph (and should us as well) how much she means to him.
8. Lane Boy - Blurryface
The opening guitar line just gets me. Then Dun flexes his tight drumming muscles, stealing the show, but then Joseph comes in with a sick bass line and great lyrical voicing, playing their way to a chill song that revolves mainly around Dun, Joseph's words, and his bass. It adds some synth and other sounds, but those then take over with a lengthy dance session. The best part? Joseph making it clear that the music industry is always telling people how to make music and celebrities how to live. But TOP spits in culture's face, owning the song from start to finish in what might be their cleanest and slickest piece.
7. Heavydirtysoul - Blurryface
'Member how I said Joseph only raps when he has to? Well. Watch him show he's right up there with the elite, opening this weird (do you see those outfits above??) song with a 15 second, 76 word total rap opening. Like dang...
But that's just the beginning. When truly proving why TOP is undefinable as a specific genre, I point to this song, that works despite so many parts that all seem so different. TOP states in the first verse that "this is not rap, this is not hip-hop, just another attempt to make the voices stop", continuing the theme of the mind and all that goes on inside it. It's confusing and mind warping, acting as a booming opening track to their killer album that is Blurryface. What is Joseph singing about here? Well, he's crying to someone to save himself from his "heavydirtysoul" (once again breaking rules by creating one word - I love it) of course. Adding to the weirdness and awesomeness, the bridge has Joseph telling - and I'm going out on a limb here - God, that death inspires him just as a "dog inspires a rabbit". Like, hell no I don't want to die God. The chords and loud ending add to the desperation that Joseph is trying to convey, and it's nothing short of epic.
6. Message Man - Blurryface
This might be overall the "coolest" song by TOP. Like dude. The electric organ. The bass. And don't even try to have me describe the meaning of it. I have no idea. It's just cool though. So enjoy.
5. Car Radio - Vessel and Regional At Best
Like woah. Talk about a song who's lyrics are the backbone of the piece. It's not just a piece. It's a masterpiece. I could write an entire post on this song. It's a thoughtful and chill poem that then turns into a dance song as Joseph literally screams in anguish. There is no chorus, but instead verse after verse as Joseph unleashes his writing ability. He doesn't rap the song, nor does he sing it.
4. Ode To Sleep - Vessel
Instead of an "Ode To Joy", we have here an "Ode To Sleep". Clocking in just over five minutes, this track has in a sense three parts that the duo rotates into. Starting off sinister and dark as Joseph begins his rap, it then jumps to a more upbeat and optimistic sound as Joseph switches to song, the lyrics matching the happy noise. We then transition to a more passionate sound as Joseph cries out his story.
Repeat.
Singing about trying to fall asleep, the voices and the demons that whisper to you at night, and the conflict of the day versus the night. We all once again relate to this message and Ode is brilliantly arranged by Joseph.
3. Heathens - DC's Suicide Squad: The Album (soundtrack for the theatrical film of the same name)
Is the fact that "Heathens" is the best part of Suicide Squad a testament to how bad the movie was or how amazing the song is?
Both.
The chill sound is what makes the song so great along with Josephs voice that rides along to the music, flawlessly hitting every beat. "Heathens" is the definition of haunting, leaving a mark that won't be forgotten. Lyrically it's easier to understand then other TOP songs, but that does not take anything away from it. In fact, that's what makes it so great, showing us Joseph can write simple tunes that blow us away. Suicide Squad didn't do much right. But at least TOP did their job, and did it well, deservingly being nominated for a Grammy for their performance.
2. Holding On To You - Vessel
Twenty One Pilots first single was a good one folks. Lyrically excellent and musically great for just listening to in the car. Focusing on the mind of course, this is a song worth checking out the words but specifically on genius.com, as there are plenty of different ideas shared there for lyrics on this song and any other one.
1. Stressed Out - Blurryface
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You've heard it a thousand times on the radio. But it's so awesome. Like for real. As adults, we all know the stresses of life, even wishing we could go back to "the good old days, when our mammas sang us to sleep". But alas. We can't. There's just something I can't describe about this track that I love. It's irresistible for me. Love it. Love it. Love it. Luckily this song does the exact opposite for me: it eases my mind when I am stressed out.
Oh yeah. TOP won a Grammy for their hard work, as this song was the big break into pop culture, creating the huge hysteria and frenzy that is Twenty One Pilots.
Fun fact: Watching the Grammy's as just friends in a dorm room years prior, Dun noticed all the guys (including Joseph) were in their underwear. Dun Turned to Joseph (mind you they were nobody's at the time) and said if they ever receive a Grammy, they should receive it as they were right then: in their underwear. And that they did. Props my men. Props.
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