Twenty One Pilots: Clancy (Album)

*The album image linked to the TØP website for purchasing the album item. **No, I do not profit from this feature. It is simply intended to make life more convenient.  

• Bibliographic Information

• Album Title: Clancy <<<Click on the album title and enjoy the music!

• Artist: Twenty One Pilots

• Length: 47:18 minutes/seconds

• Label: Fueled by Ramen; Elektra

• Copyright Date: (2024)

• Genre: Alternative rock, Hip-hop, Pop rock, Indie rock, Synth-pop

• Format: Audio

• Awards/Honors: 2024 Rock Sound Album of the Year

• Interest Level: Listeners come from all ages.
• Album Summary: Clancy is the seventh studio album by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on May 24, 2024. It is the follow-up album to their 2021 release Scaled And Icy (Clancy, 2023).
  • Track List:

1. 1. Overcompensate
   2. Next Semester
   3. Backslide
   4. Midwest Indigo
   5. Routines In The Night
   6. Vignette
   7. The Craving (Jenna’s version)
   8. Lavish
   9. Navigating
   10. Snap Back
   11. Oldies Station
   12. At The Risk Of Feeling Dumb
   13. Paladin Strait

(Clancy, 2023)

• Artist Background: Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo that originated in the town of Columbus, Ohio, in 2009, made up of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Initially, the band was formed as a trio, but the band became a duo after the departures of their founding members Chris Salih and Nick Thomas in 2011. Their music is a fusion of various genres, which include pop, rock, rap, and indie. The Twenty One Pilots duo rose to fame with their 2015 album, Blurryface, which featured popular tracks like “Stressed Out” and “Ride,” which address themes of mental health and self-doubt. Twenty One Pilots are known for encompassing mental health within the lyrics and fusion of their music. The duo is also known for their high-energy live performances. Twenty One Pilots has amassed significant acclaim through the years, including multiple Grammy Awards, and has built a loyal fanbase known as the “Skeleton Clique.”

• Critical Evaluation: This was my first experience listening to the entirety of Twenty One Pilots’ newest album, having only encountered a few of their songs previously. While I appreciate singles like “Overcompensate,” I anticipated a different direction for this album, particularly a deeper exploration of lore. I was surprised to find only two lore-related tracks, which felt odd to me. Instead of the heavier sounds, more bass, and rap that I was hoping for, the album features a lot of ukulele, pop elements, slower lyrics, and a noticeable absence of piano.

Although my initial impression is that the album is solid, it’s clear that I need to listen to it a few more times to fully understand my feelings. Some tracks like “The Craving,” “Backslide,” and “Next Semester” initially required multiple listens before I truly enjoyed them, and I find that I prefer “The Craving Single Version” over “Jenna’s Version,” though both are lovely in their own right. 

Overall, this album delivers a different experience compared to their previous work, but that’s part of the journey as a fan. Twenty One Pilots has a remarkable ability to blend genres, creating music that feels both fresh and authentic. Each song serves as a sonic adventure, showcasing their artistic range through introspective rap, explosive rock choruses, and subtle electronic influences.

• Creative Use for a Library Program: It could be fun to host a music tasting for young adults and use this artist as one of the many artists to introduce them to. It would make for a great way for kids to interact with one another and also make new friends. Another way to utilize this artist is to have them playing in the background of a book tasting or maybe even just playing in the background in a general setting so that young adults can hear them. This band makes for a great way for people to break ice and interact with one another. 

• Speed Round Book Talk/ Short Book Trailer: If you are new to Twenty One Pilots, they are like no other group. Their music is varied and, intelligent and beautiful… it fits into no one genre, and TØP’s music is so dynamic you will be amazed at the different sounds from song to song then– remind yourself this is a 2 person group. Tyler and Josh have fans of ALL ages and deservedly so.

• Potential Challenges Issues/ Preparation for the Book: A potential challenge I can see stemming from Twenty-One Pilot’s music is possibly a controversial issue with their lyrics. I have listened to a few of their albums and have to find anything that young ears should not be listening to, but every parent must judge for themselves and there could very well be a parent who does want their child to listen to this band. 

Another issue that I have seen arise from a few different articles and blog sites is a disdain for how the band exploits mental illness. In the blog, Bearded Gentleman Music, they express the notion of Joseph Tyler as a person who likes to romanticism depression (Bearded Gentlemen Music, 2018). With Twenty-One Pilots having a vast young listener fanbase, many feel uncomfortable with the idea of these guys insinuating that depression does not mean you are weak; it means you have been strong for too long (Bearded Gentlemen Music, 2018). The next time you feel a surge of uncontrollable sadness, consider turning off the pop music and reaching out to someone who is willing to engage in a meaningful conversation. Choose someone who understands that while people are beautiful, mental illness is not.

• Reason for Inclusion: The artist in question deserves recognition due to their widespread popularity and significant appeal to younger audiences. Many people from various generations, both younger and older, actively listen to Twenty-One Pilots, attend their concerts and follow their latest endeavors. This music has the power to connect individuals, foster friendships and enhance concentration in settings like classrooms. 

My personal experiences with their music reveal its potential to help others find new connections, explore hobbies, and engage in healthy activities. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun express their personal struggles and vulnerabilities through their lyrics, making their work deeply relatable. Tracks such as “Stressed Out,” “Car Radio,” and “Heathens” transcend mere entertainment; they serve as anthems of resilience and hope, encouraging listeners to confront their fears and embrace their authentic selves.

References

Bearded Gentlemen Music. (2018, October 29). Twenty One Pilots – Trench sucks. Bearded Gentlemen Music. https://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2018/10/29/twenty-one-pilots-trench-sucks/

Clancy, T. (2023). Twenty one pilots [Audio CD]. Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Clancy-twenty-one-pilots/dp/B0CWRM3KB5/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=

Baker, C. (2020, November 24). Twenty One Pilots: A history of the band and their success. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/twenty-one-pilots-history/

Saviano, F. (2020, July 28). Why listening to Twenty One Pilots can change your perspective on music and life. Medium. https://medium.com/@francesco.saviano87/why-listening-to-twenty-one-pilots-can-change-your-perspective-on-music-and-life-a2724c52d034

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 7). Twenty One Pilots. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_One_Pilots