by Dinah Aguilar ’19

Three years after finding mainstream success, the alt-pop duo Twenty One Pilots have released their fifth studio album “Trench.” Their new music was instantly hit with criticism when the duo dropped two singles and music videos “Jumpsuit” and “Nico and the Niners.” Unlike their catchy, upbeat single “Stressed Out” from their last album, “Blurryface,” singer Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun have introduced a new type of sound. The music is odd, with uneven tempos and scattered lyrics changing between rapping, talking, and singing, it definitely is not radio friendly.

Joseph and Dun’s music usually centers on depression and suicide, and “Trench,” being no different, features songs such as “Chlorine,” “Neon Gravestones,” and “The Hype” that touch on attempted suicide, society’s glorification of depression, and staying strong during tough times. The duo is very open about their own personal issues with mental health and has created a close community between them and their fans.

For casual listeners some songs might be confusing because they hold a double meaning, diving deeper into the story created by Joseph in the last album “Blurryface.” After a lot of speculation from fans, Blurryface was introduced as Nico in the song “Nico and the Niners.” He is a bishop of the fictional city Dema, working to control and keep people in line. The main character, Clancy, is one of Dema’s trapped people, who joins a group called “banditos” that help people free themselves from Dema, as told in the song “Bandito.”

While the whole concept of “more than just music” songs with a overarching plot is intersting, the songs are not that good. Twenty One Pilots is known for their unique alternative music, but for a lot of this album, songs like “Jumpsuit” and “Levitate” give off an uncomfortable vibe, very far from the traditional, alternative, angsty sound that music fans are used to. But maybe this edgy new sound was what they were going for; unfriendly music that would not be played on the radio. It is not music for the casual listener, but rather someone who likes to get immersed in the sound.

Rating: B-