Welcome back to Trench
I discovered Twenty One Pilots in 2013 after a friend showed me the music video for “Car Radio”. I was instantly hooked by their passion, intensity, and brave commentary on subjects like mental health. While Vessel (2013) remains my favorite of their albums, it was Blurryface (2015) that launched them into the stratosphere.
From humble beginnings in Columbus, Ohio, the duo has become one of the world’s most successful acts. They have amassed billions of streams, won a Grammy Award, and developed one of the most devoted and passionate fanbases in all of music.
Tyler and Josh are now back with a new track called “Overcompensate” and have announced the final chapter of their nearly decade-long concept album series. Their upcoming album, Clancy, is set to be released on May 17.
Set in the metaphorical world of Trench, the album series follows several characters in the city of Dema. Across Blurryface (2015), Trench (2018), and Scaled and Icy (2021), they have advanced the mysterious storyline. For years, fans have dissected lyrics and tried to interpret details from music videos in attempt to make sense of it all. In advance of the new album announcement, the duo released a 4 minute video summarizing all the events thus far. Linked below, the video’s narrator reveals himself as Clancy, details his multiple attempts to escape Dema, and announces his plans to return to Trench.
“Overcompensate” is a fast-paced, hip-hop inspired track. It interpolates lyrics from the song “Bandito” from Trench. A music video was released alongside the track and features the duo performing the song at an empty venue that slowly begins to fill up with people who are known as “citizens of Dema”. Tyler reveals himself as Clancy and details a plan to the citizens before collapsing as the video reveals that he was possessing someone else. The video concludes with Tyler and Josh arriving on an island, most likely Trench, as Tyler gives a soft smile.
The new track and Clancy announcement has me excited for the full album, which will feature 13 songs. Tyler’s imagination and creativity, backed by Josh’s virtuoso drumming, make them a captivating duo. I especially admire how they lean into being a bit weird and don’t lose sight of their authenticity.
Cover art of previous albums Vessel, Blurryface, Trench, and Scaled and Icy have been updated to be partially covered in red tape on streaming platforms as they usher in the next era.
