TWENTY ONE PILOTS // BREACH // ALBUM REVIEW

I reckon, in the generation we're in, it's quite easy to pick out artists who won't stand the test of time. People who, for whatever reason, won't have any real longevity after their commercial peak, and will soon fade into the background of our cultural atmosphere. Twenty One Pilots however, are not one of those bands. From their debut record Vessel to now their eighth full length album Breach, they have proved time and time again that they have some serious staying power - and that they're doing it for all the right reasons. With this new installation of their now named Trench Saga, this record promises the final encapsulation of the narrative - one that's taken over a decade of storytelling and a $1M music video to cap it all off. Obviously, spoilers ahead for the City Walls MV (duh). It also promises 12 new original tracks away from that world for the first time in a while, and I for one can't wait to see what they can do. I've also let this cook a little bit to let the recency bias ware off, so I'm being a bit more objective than perhaps other reviews I've done. Okay, let's do this - one last time... here's my track by track breakdown and review of Breach;

1. City Walls - 5:22

Opening with a hefty bassline, City Walls promises the end of the Trench Saga, the final act of the story we've been watching unfold for the last decade. It's sonically beautiful, with that beautiful bass tone ripping on through. This song has so many tempo change ups and tone shifts, it feels like the twisting and turning corridors of DEMA itself. Lyrically it harks back to some of the most influential tracks in their known discography - this truly feels like a finale, a closer to all of the mania of the story they have spent so long creating. It has some brilliant moments, all delivered by Joseph, delivered as spoken word in the verses, and sung in the chorus sections - the melody is super strong and really anthemic, which creates a perfect atmosphere for this track. The bridge is a serious lynchpin, reflective and fleeting, before the final motif throws itself into play. The climax of the song brings back the iconic 'entertain my faith' from their first ever record, with Joseph's vocals screeching over the intense drums. It's full circle, gorgeous and triumphant, with a flare of the violence from the Blurryface era. It's tinged with finality, and as the drums slam into the final fill, we hear the opening to Heavydirtysoul ring out - the end of the cycle, and the beginning all over again. The music video for this track is also stunning, and concludes the story in a truly epic way. The Trench Saga was always about cycles, and battles with mental health will never simply go away. Although we want Clancy to defeat Nico and liberate the Banditos, it simply can't be the case - just like there is no final cure to depression or anxiety. The cycle starts again, but this time with a little more hope than before - and as Clancy becomes one of the new Bishops of DEMA, we go on knowing Torchbearer will try again.

2. RAWFEAR - 3:22

Based on a bouncy drum line, RAWFEAR is a declaration of the new tone for this record. Opening with some ear shattering screams recorded by Joseph's daughters, it sets a playful tone for the track before launching into the main body. It's catchy, full of some brilliant lyricism and awesome moments of vocal vibrato - clearly Joseph is keen to flex his impressive vocal range as much as he can on this one. Dunn has a clean drum track in this one, relatively straightforward but crisp and clear all the way through. The bridge also plays with the tempo, which feels especially poignant with the lyrics surrounding not slowing down - it's once again playful and experimental, and it's a real joy to hear the two of them having fun with their records again. The style is very reminiscent of indie rock, which the rest of this record also tends to lean into, with some shades of R&B that pair really well with Joseph's vocals and delivery. It has some real undeniable swagger in there too, but still full of that reflective lyrical content that we've come to expect - with a shiny exterior that's hard not to love, RAWFEAR is a track that might be overlooked on a first listen, but can’t be ignored on the repeat.

3. Drum Show - 3:23

Go and read my previous review for Drum Show here for my full thoughts on this song:

https://audioaddicted.wixsite.com/my-site/post/twenty-one-pilots-drum-show

This track is an absolute belter, and a highlight of this record - edgy, loud, yet full of that beautiful introspection that we expect from Twenty One Pilots. As close to perfection as you can really get on this record.

4. Garbage - 3:16

Although slightly on the nose lyrically, Garbage is an introspective internal look into the world of Tyler Joseph and his internal struggles. It's painfully honest, but wrapped up in a catchy drum rhythm and punchy synths that make the depressing theme a little more palatable. It feels once again like an indie rock track, but that's not a bad thing, I’m so glad that with every new iteration there is a new style taken on - and it really suits this record. Once again Dunn is keeping it all together on the drums, with yet another impressive performance full of catchy tom fills. It has a real Trench feel to it, the subtle piano and small synth embellishments just rounding out this one into a simple but effective banger. It's so heart on sleeve, so vulnerable and open - it once again reflects the central themes of this record of relapse, repair, and the continuation of the cycle. Heartbreakingly open, heartfelt and catchy, Garbage isn't one to be slept on.

5. The Contract - 3:45

This one was also released as a single, so read my full thoughts on it here:

https://audioaddicted.wixsite.com/my-site/post/twenty-one-pilots----the-contract----song-review

Chaotic, fully leaded, and anthemic as hell, this song encapsulates this era perfectly - not afraid to push the boat out into pastures unknown. Once again an excellent track.

6. Downstairs - 5:26

Made from a demo that sat dormant on Josh Dunn's laptop since Vessel, Downstairs walks the line between nostalgia and Breach's new style. The vocoding on Joseph's voice is an interesting new sonic texture I can't say I'm used to, but am by no means opposed to - I know it's meant to hark back to their previous style, but on first listen it is a little grating. When it hits the chorus, it hits its peak, with crashing cymbals and harmonised vocals that feel like a real culmination of the verse. It sets a brilliant pace, with the choppy piano underpinning it all really effectively throughout. However, the next verse takes a few re-listens to get the rhythm of it all, there's some funky intonations on the snare that took a second to really click for me, which takes me out of it on almost every listen for a second or two. The highlights of this track are those brilliant choruses, especially with the extreme vocals right at the end before the pitch change, which again is a fun way to recontextualise the track in it's closing moments. Clever, and with one foot in the past and the other in the present, Downstairs is one hell of a ride - even if sometimes it gets caught up in it's own concept.

7. Robot Voices - 3:57

This is a stellar little track, even if at the very opening there's a little volume moment that I find a touch superfluous. Once again using those indie rock vibes, the gentle bass and a crisp but awesomely complex drum performance carry this jovial track from start to end. There are also some awesome production moments on Robot Voices, especially the backing robot vocals that echo some of the lines that add some much needed sonic texture - as well as those cheeky backing extremes. It's yet more proof that Paul Meaney is a production wizard, and has a keen eye for details and soundscape. The chorus is also brilliant, built up to perfectly with a fun guitar lick and whoop, and has a really solid melody that's really catchy. It's actually interpolated from a track 'My Soft Spots, My Robots' by Blanket Approval - a song which Joseph heard and wished the bridge was the chorus and vice versa... as if we needed any more proof that Joseph and Dunn have brilliant musical minds. I also really like the concept of this track, with Blanket Approval saying the track is about finding the balance between your insecurities (soft spots) and your own coping mechanisms (robots) to get you through - thematically it hits the nail on the head for this record.

8. Centre Mass - 3:48

If you love Tyler Joseph rapping like he did in Blurryface, then this track is for you. Also, the viral drum stealing incident and 'mooooy death' moment were both sampled in the intro to this song, as well as the now expected Josh Dunn lyric - listen out for them in the intro, its hilarious. In terms of delivery, it's rapid - think Heavydirtysoul, just a little more introspective. The drums in this song are so present in the mix, almost on par with the vocals - it's a true melding of the duo's strengths, and adds some serious heft to the mix that hadn't been explored until now. It plays on themes of fragility and resilience, seemingly using the idea of the 'centre mass' being a vulnerability that Joseph feels he needs to cover up. It's fast paced, lyrically full to bursting, and such a good listen, it's become one of my firm favourites. It has so much sonic texture, subtle bass, synths, moments of silence that make that reintroduction of the drums hit that little bit harder - what’s not to love? It also slams into one of the most goosebump inducing final moments in their discography - full of extreme vocals and crashing cymbals that pick up that pace even more in it's closing moments. If you needed any more proof of Twenty One Pilot's talent, look no further than Centre Mass.

9. Cottonwood - 3:08

Written in memory of Joseph's grandfather, Cottonwood is a slow burning emotional ballad. Based mainly around the piano, it strips back all the bells and whistles shown previously - just the soft chords and a clean drum beat. It's gentle, catchy, easy to listen to, and bleeds emotion and feeling - and when it comes to a track about personal loss, Joseph is always going to deliver on the lyricism. No big moments, just gentle drums, soft piano and some really lovely lyrics. Plus, it's nice to have a little rest stop after all the insanity of the rest of this record, so I'm happy that they did a track that's more of a gentle one. The final moments with the synths is also a perfect addition, once again with Joseph flexing his higher vocal register. No huge moments, or screams or stories, just one really heartfelt track about the loss of a loved one.

10. One Way - 2:43

Playing with that thematic tension between wanting freedom but having to compete with your own anxieties, this song uses a semantic field of wanting to fly, but being warned that the weather might be rough. Drums wise, it's another trademark performance fron Josh Dunn, with some dragged snare hits and gentle hi-hat grooves. One Way has some real swing to it, and is full of synths and a solid bassline to add some much needed texture. It also once again demonstrates Joseph at his best vocally, with the main bulk of the melody being really diverse and well paced, jumping from soft spoken bridges to insane high notes in an instant. One Way is another easy to listen to belter full of yet more playful lyrics that still pack that emotional punch. Structured like another indie rock fuelled ballad, this is such easy listening I could have it on repeat for weeks without complaint. I also find the ending voicemail from Josh Dunn a hilarious way to slam into the next track - I laughed out loud when I heard it for the first time.

11. Days Lie Dormant - 3:26

Fast paced, full of cymbals and extremes, Days Lie Dormant walks the line once again between indie rock and almost hardcore moments. It moves in a flash, with some awesome drum fills in the chorus sections. People have speculated this is a song about feeling homesick whilst being on tour, and reflects that in it's continued references to being away from the ones you love. Dunn once again brings an excellent and complex performance to his side of this song, including some rim clicks to add to the almost whimsical nature of the beat. Joseph is also once again using those extremes - and they sound stunning (I just really hope he won't do a Brendon Urie and blow out his voice trying to do all this live...) It brings the chaos back to a stripped back piano moment that sounds like it was recorded out in a room full of people, building with a rolling snare, before slamming straight back into the mania. It adds some seriously suped up synths in it's final moments that create even more texture in the chorus that really tie it all up with a bow. This track is a journey, but once again a catchy anthem with some awesome lyrical punch.

12. Tally - 3:32

I love this song. It's dramatic, full of unique melody, pace and enough punchy drums to put you in a coma twice over. Lyrically, it reflects on a relationship in which one person is uncertain to accept someone else's love - a theme that feels all too relevant with the Trench saga ending like it did. I know I keep commenting on Dunn's performances, but this on is razor precise, rapidly quick and insanely complex, you really have to give him his flowers. It plays with that dichotomy of it's punchy outwards sound and the emotional stakes behind the words perfectly. There's even a spoken word moment, almost reflecting back to City Walls in it's style. Tally allows itself to strip back for the bridge, with echoes vocals and a tapped cymbal underpinning the moment of quiet reflection, before hitting an insane high, with yet more jaw dropping high notes from Joseph. It's an absolute masterpiece of song writing too, potentially hinting to the one sided relationship between Clancy and Torchbearer. What more can I really add, this song features some crazy production moments, and one of the strongest performances of Josh Dunn's career - what more do you want from Twenty One Pilots? Another true highlight of this record in the latter end - and apparently one Dunn needed to fight to have on the record! First Navigating on Clancy and now this!

13. Intentions - 2:15

This one is crazy. The song is literally Truce played backwards, with a brand new melody over the top. Described as the band coming to terms with the final act of the saga, it leans heavily on that old instrumental, Joseph's vocals reflected backwards as he sings to them, almost reminding himself about his struggles, that as long as he has his intentions right when he goes through tough times, then he will never truly be lost in the cycles he perpetuates. Beautiful, haunting, and one of the most heart breaking closers I've ever heard, this one really is something special. However, it needs one criticism, which is that its a bit tricky to decontextualise from this record itself. As an ender to the project it's perfect, but not so much as a standalone - but I'm nit picking.

Overview: Full of heart, vulnerability and enough heart on your sleeve song writing to melt even the most frozen soul, Breach walks the line between the cycles we want to break, and the acceptance in going around one more time. When a battle with your own brain means you sometimes need to loose to gain any ground, this record is a reminder that sometimes relapse is a natural part of progression - worst comes to worst the sun will rise, and we will try again. At its best, this record is anthemic, pulling out banger after banger to sing along to, and at its worst it still delivers some seriously crushing blows - and at it's worst it's still delivering those moments, just on a scale that's a touch less easy to swallow (yes, I'm looking at you Downstairs). I’m willing to say this record is one of the best this band has put out, surpassing SAI and Blurryface in my own personal ranking - honing in on it's own rock adjacent style without getting too caught up in one single motif or style for too long. What a way to end the story, and what a way to end this era, and although it's all done, hasn't it been a ride? I reckon we haven't heard the last of these characters in DEMA, and although this book is over, who says another story in this universe might not come around? I'm by no means holding out hope, but what I will say is that Breach is a wonderful record, and one I'll have on repeat for a long time to come.

Highlights: City Walls, RAWFEAR, Drum Show, Garbage, The Contract, Centre Mass, Tally

Rating: 9.5/10