TWENTY ONE PILOTS // THE CONTRACT // SONG REVIEW

Here it is - the end of the Clancy era and into a brand new one, the dawning of Breach. Since the announcement of the brand new record, this track has been continually teased by the band, promising something new - and fans have been going crazy speculating how this new track will sound. Well, we finally got our answers, and here are my thoughts...

In terms of songs that have been the first introduction to their new eras, like Jumpsuit and Overcompensate, The Contract is by far the best one they have made. I've had a lot of time to reflect on this song since it's release, and didn't want recency bias to get in the way - but this is truly the best way they could have started a brand new cycle. Full of fast paced drums, vocoded lyrics and enough time changes to blow your mind, The Contract kicks ass and takes names over it's almost four minute runtime.

It's lyrics consistently pull strings of familiarity - references to Not Today for example, but it's insane pace and punchy drums keep you in the moment, embracing the chaos. There is so much to hear, so many small production elements hidden in by the ever amazing Paul Meaney that you can feel the sonic texture. It is put together in such a meticulous way - it's hard not to revel in it's madness. There's synth layers, electric guitar, chunky bass and another solid performance from the legend Josh Dun.

In terms of this song's music video, it needs to be seen to be believed. It's a visual spectacle, full of clever effects, cuts and angles that really represent the relentless grind of this track - and brings us straight back to where we need to be in the story, the moment Nico and Clancy meet for their final showdown in the tower.

All parts punchy, interesting sonically, and put together like the Mona Lisa, this song is an indicator that Twenty One Pilots are making some of the best music of their career, and I'm extremely excited to see what snippets we get next, and where this story will go.

Rating: 5/5