Review: Twenty One Pilots, "Vessel"

Twenty One Pilots' music uniquely
combines elements of rap, rock and
dance music.

            It’s not hip-hop and it’s not rap. It’s not indie rock, and it’s not exactly dance music. It’s a little bit of everything- it’s Twenty One Pilots (stylized as twenty l one l pilots) and they’re doing something right. Vessel, the band’s latest album, was released at the beginning of the year, but I recently purchased the physical copy and had to write about their music. The Columbus, Ohio duo consisting of Tyler Joseph, on keys and vocals and Joshua Dun, drums, has been getting ample radio-time on local alternative-rock radio station Radio 104.5 with their single “Holding on to You”, but the entire album deserves a thorough listen. It has been consistently difficult to classify these gents into one genre- and I think that’s how they’d like to keep things. Tyler Joseph has the rap flow and a dexterity with words to keep up with today’s rappers, but holds his own on vocal parts as well. Elements of modern dance music, hard rock, indie rock, and even strummy soft rock are incorporated into the band’s sound, proving to hold the listener’s attention and constantly introduce new sounds throughout the twelve song set.

          TOP’s third full-length album kicks off with “Ode to Sleep”, a track that travels effortlessly from Joseph’s frenetic rapping over dubstep beats to straight forward piano-rock, and back again. Beneath the jittery changes are honest, insightful lyrics that lead listeners into the singer’s troubled mind, an issue that is at the center of many songs. “Holding on to You” finds the front man at a vulnerable point, questioning his mental stability and his importance to others. The song serves as the duo’s minor alternative radio hit, and features Tyler’s most prominent rap verses.

          “Migraine” a personal favorite, is, arguably, Joseph’s most direct plea to listeners. He references his troubled thoughts in a creative matter, “Am I the only one I know? / Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat” and questions death over a severe migraine. “House of Gold” demonstrates the band’s ability to strip away the theatrical components of their music and feature a song filled with ukulele and sparse percussion. “Car Radio” is the album’s emotional climax, with Joseph realizing that a car without a radio forces him to face his personal demons. The track surges to an energetic peak, and quickly recedes to Tyler and Joshua’s piano and drums. The second half of the album features more Matt and Kim- esque dance-pop, working synths and drum machines into the typical TOP beats.

          The exciting thing about Twenty One Pilots’ music is the diversity of sounds and styles featured on the album. Joseph and Dun could explore various genres- strictly rap, ukulele rock, or up-tempo dance - on their next album, and it would still fit the band’s unique sound.

             Honestly, as a new fan to Twenty One Pilots’ music, the combination of vocals and raps, and the layers of beats and production featured on Vessel speaks to the originality of the group. Tyler Joseph and Josua Dun have created an extremely memorable collection of songs sure to make a lasting impression on the music industry. Check the band out as they tour the major festival circuit, and later in the fall, when they open for Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco. 

~TJM