After last year's single "Level of Concern" and 2018's album Trench, Twenty One Pilots bursts back onto the scene with a brand new album entitled Scaled and Icy. There are a lot of things that I could say about Scaled and Icy to preface the review, but I want to let the music speak for itself. However, I will say that you can see and hear that this album is a product of the COVID-19 pandemic. So without any further ado, let's get into the album!
Good Day: Upon first listen, "Good Day" comes into your ears with a happy and upbeat intro. If you're casually listening, it may seem shallow. However, just like most Twenty One Pilots songs, "Good Day" has a much deeper meaning than it appears to on the surface. In an interview with NME, Tyler Joseph says that the song is about losing his wife and son and how he believes that he would experience denial in the mourning process. "Good Day" opens you up to the reality that a lot of people claim to be ok, but they may be deeply hurting on the inside.
The ambiance created by the everyday outdoor sounds and birds chirping creates a contrast to the darker meaning of this song, something that Twenty One Pilots is no stranger to. On their song "Not Today" from their 2015 album Blurryface, Tyler Joseph sings "Listen I know this one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds, but the lyrics are so down."
Choker: "Choker" is very on-brand for Twenty One Pilots. The instrumental sounds very familiar and the anthemic chorus reminds me of something from Trench. In the description for the album on Apple Music, Tyler Joseph describes the song as being about how fear and anxiety can stop you from being there for people in your life. I also hear elements of self-sabotage in the lyrics for "Choker" and that fits into the theme of fear and anxiety's power over people. "Choker" will be a very welcome addition to their live set when they tour.
Shy Away: "Shy Away" was our first taste of the new album and it was the right song to give to the fans first. "Shy Away" is an upbeat pop/rock anthem. The sound is bigger and lighter than the music that we most recently heard from Twenty One Pilots. According to an interview with BBC Radio 1, this song is based on a conversation with his brother about him pursuing his dreams in the music industry. My main takeaway from this song is to not shy away from your dreams, purpose, or potential. This is truly influential to me as a creative person, dreamer, and musician. This may have been meant for Tyler's brother, but it has served as a letter of encouragement to us all.
The Outside: "The Outside" is one of the more mysterious sounding tracks on the record. It sounds moody, dark, and mysterious...almost like you don't know what will come next. However, the lyrics are anything but mysterious. "The Outside" is a bold critique of mainstream music and today's music industry.
The chorus speaks to me about how the music industry latches on to an artist then chews them up and spits them out. From my observation, the music industry generally treats people more like replaceable objects than actual people.
"I'm pretty sure I've seen this one before" is a bold critique about how mainstream music gets to be cookie-cutter. For every original singer, there seem to be a million imitators of them trying to hop on the bandwagon.
However, Tyler seems to have a realization at the end of the song. "Little do they know that they can't touch me I'm vibin', vibin'." Even though Tyler feels like an outsider in the music industry, he realizes that that's what makes the Clique love him. He realizes that his fans will stay by his side.
Saturday: "Saturday" is one of the more widely criticized songs on the album. However, I love "Saturday." Plainly put, "Saturday" is an upbeat and infectious pop bop. In fact, I would go as far as to say that this is one of Twenty One Pilots' most pop-leaning songs. If I were Fueled by Ramen, I would have released this song to pop radio yesterday. However, "Saturday" (like many Twenty One Pilots songs) is a contrasting song. The instrumental is light and happy, but the lyrics have a deeper and darker meaning in some parts of the song. The lyrics in the chorus contrast with the lyrics in the verses. The chorus is more upbeat showing how Saturday is often a day for fun plans, rest, and replenishment. However, the verses and pre-chorus remind us of what COVID has done to our routine. For example, not changing clothes or knowing what day it is. Even though "Saturday" brings out a discussion of if the band has sold out, I believe that "Saturday" is still very unique and on-brand for Tyler and Josh.
Never Take It: In the year of conspiracy theories, "Never Take It" may not sit well with some. However, I see it as more of a critique of modern media, just as "The Outside" was a critique of the modern music industry. "Never Take It" is one of the more rock-leaning songs on Scaled and Icy, which is fitting due to the subject and passion in the song. I see Tyler promoting unity over division. I see Tyler telling us to do our own research and form our own opinions; not just going along with what we are told.
Tyler has touched on this subject before in the song "We Don't Believe What's On TV" from 2015's Blurryface. I also can't help but think of John Mayer's modern classic, "Waiting on the World to Change" when I hear never take it. Specifically the lyrics, "But when you trust your television what you get is what you got. Cause when they own the information, oh they can bend it all they want."
Mulberry Street: "Mulberry Street" is another song showing off Twenty One Pilots' strength of contrast. The song is poppy and upbeat but has a hidden meaning about mental health when you really pay attention. The song shows a stark contrast between bliss from new experiences and mental illness.
The bridge shows us that we can look back on new experiences and the feelings from them to keep us going when times get tough. "When times aren't best and I'm on the edge, I'll listen for a song in the distance. Mulberry Street, so good to see you." This experience from Tyler and Josh's New York trip reminds me of how I feel about my Nashville trips. Overall, "Mulberry Street" is a beautiful, relatable reminder to keep moving forward and stay alive. |-/
Formidable: "Formidable" is one of the more mysterious songs on Scaled and Icy. The introduction and instrumental give me 2000s "Sk8r Boi" vibes and the lyrics have a deep and appreciative tone. However, we are unsure who this song is about. Fans of Twenty One Pilots have multiple theories about it, so I wonder who is right.
Bounce Man: "Bounce Man" is another one of the more mysterious songs on Scaled and Icy. The chorus gets stuck in your head and the introduction reminds me of an AJR song. However, just like "Formidable", we are unsure of who/what it's about. There are theories of it being about a family member/friend in trouble or Tyler's creativity (Ned).
No Chances: "No Chances" sounds like it could be a great introduction to Twenty One Pilots' next tour. The ominous instrumental could play as they make their way to the stage and Tyler can energetically burst into the verse of the song. I hope that we can see that soon! However, "No Chances" is another song that has a deeper meaning about mental health. The about section on Genius says that it could be connected to Trench and DEMA. If you don't know about DEMA and the universe behind Twenty One Pilots and their music, please check out this link that breaks it down well and has links to more in-depth YouTube videos!
Redecorate: "Redecorate" is the saddest song on the album. In the about section for the album on Apple Music, Tyler reveals that this song was inspired by a friend who preserved his deceased son's room. However, multiple interpretations can be used throughout the song. It could be about people's thoughts before they die and what they wish they could change. It could be about cleaning up your life while you still have time to do so. It could be referencing depression & suicidality, topics that Twenty One Pilots does not "shy away" from. What interpretation you use is up to you. However, "Redecorate" is a song that will stop you in your tracks no matter where you are.
Overall: I would rate Scaled and Icy a 9 out of 10 album. This album was not well received by many, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. On first listen, it does not seem like a typical Twenty One Pilots album. You can tell that creative risks were taken. Some of those risks paid off and others weren't as well received. However, I believe this is a typical Twenty One Pilots album. It just takes another listen or two to find the hidden meanings in the seemingly happy songs. While the album may be more lighthearted and upbeat in tone, Tyler Joseph is still a creative genius. *mic drop*
Favorite tracks: Shy Away, The Outside, Saturday, Never Take It, Mulberry Street, and Redecorate
Listen to Scaled and Icy on Spotify!
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