I'll start out by saying I can't say I've ever been more excited about a song release in a very, very long time. I've been so excited for this new Twenty One Pilots track that last night, I lost sleep thinking about this brand new song. As I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom, anticipation worming it's way through me, I prayed to whatever God, Primordial Being or Global Corporation that controls fate that this song would blow my socks off. And, as 6:00 rolled around, after the announcement of the brand new album 'Clancy' releasing March 17th, I tuned in to the music video's premiere, and listened. Here's my breakdown of Twenty One Pilot's brand new song Overcompensate.
(Clancy Album Art - Twenty One Pilots 2024)
The song draws you right in with a stripped back section of piano. Almost mirroring songs like Truce or Goner before slamming into an electric discordance. The punchy synth builds dramatically, with a voice weaving it's way through, claiming in German 'This island turned me into a weapon'. It's a brooding, violent, and very reminiscent opener more akin to Blurryface, that blossoms into a slamming drum beat, rapidly repeating on closed hi-hat and slamming snare. The words 'Welcome back to Trench' echo in a call back to the declaration of welcome in Levitate - and all I'm saying is if you need proof for a perfect opener that draws your listeners right back into the world they need to be in, look no further. By around 40 seconds in your straight back into the mindset, straight back into the lore, and ready to see what comes next. The next vocals you hear are a drowned out Tyler Joseph repeating the lines from Bandito 'I created this world, to feel some control. Destroy it if I want, so I say Sahlo Folina.' It seems to me like a bit of a reminder that we're back in Joseph's territory, back in the narrative him and Josh Dunn have been building since their Grammy winning record Blurryface. The electronics are choppy and volatile, and begin the first minute and a half on a solid foot. Although I wanted initially some more from it, this song is also the first on the new album, so actually this world building, in my mind, feels necessary.
It then turns on a dime, moving straight into an R&B section that's again very reminiscant of Blurryface. It's slow moving and chunky, with Dunn's extreme proficiency behind the kit carrying the entire track. The lyrics are thick, moving fast however with Tyler Joseph's signature bite and venom, and seem to be laying down the foundation for something pretty huge. He's introducing Clancy, his background, in a track that feels more like an in universe rallying call. Clancy is building an army to take down Dema and Nico, he's quite literally 'done running'. There are also references to the real life mathmetician Nicholas Borbaki - namely in the 'dangerous bend symbol'. It's a complicated tapestry that has real grit and texture to it. It's not afraid to be subversive, and really feels like a new chapter. I have a few issues, namely just with how dense it is, as a track. Clocking in at almost 4 minutes, the lyrics are packed in, giving only the melodic choruses more room to breathe, but again I understand why this is done. It's just a stepping on point, a pilot of second season meant to get you straight back into the action.
I also have to praise Twenty One Pilots for being one of the few bands who are still really keeping the music video alive. The visual media in this narrative has meant just as much as the music in these last few records, and they've really championed their talent in terms of this brand new release. The music video has a brilliant twist at the end, leaving the characters in an awesome spot for further exploration, and I'm very keen to see where this one goes.
Overall: In all, this song is a brilliant refresher for anyone wanting to get back into Twenty One Pilots and the lore of Dema and the Nine Bishops. I truly cannot wait for this record to come out, and to see where the characters end up next - if it's anything is driving and verbally powerful as this song, I wouldn't be surprised if there was another Grammy on it's way.
Rating: 4/5
'Clancy' releases March 17th and is available to pre-save/pre-order now.
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