Twenty One Pilots Instigate A New Era With The Release Of ‘The Contract’

The world of Clancy commenced one of Twenty One Pilots’ most convoluted and story-driven eras yet. Derived heavily from the characters of Blurryface and the narrative sequences of Trench, Clancy explored the dichotomy of reaching for creativity and freedom as the scolding lashes of DEMA continue to permeate through and demand silence. It was a heavy, jarring, and at times, anxiety-inducing leap of faith that saw individualism and hand-crafted musical ideology blossom, both in the fiction world, and through the artistry of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. 

One of the most memorable moments of Clancy, however, was the storyline’s ambiguous lack of conclusion. The final track, ‘Paladin Strait’, saw the protagonist, Clancy, in a submissive and captured position, with loud doors swinging shut, almost shaking the room. A familiar voice mockingly claims “So Few, so Proud, so Emotional”, before introducing himself in the final seconds. It was a moment that saw the Clique meltdown, and a trope that has continued to develop as every show progresses. 

Today, the release of ‘The Contract’ suggests a continuation of this immense and immersive storyline; the maps are being drawn, and the photo boards are collecting more and more pins. 

‍‘The Contract’ has a heartline that beats with electronic flair, relying heavily on these elements to create an ever-present backbone. These sharp synths and screechy changes induce a sense of dread and an impending feeling of doom, dramatically juxtaposing the authentic and warm feelings of comfort fostered within the last album. This is a feeling also emulated in the vocals of Joseph. His vocals, always modulating, shift from feelings of familiarity to foreignness, at times, sounding so distant, you cannot be sure it's Tyler at all. 

It is not until the second verse that Tyler’s most raw vocal work to date comes out to play. Gravelly, it pleads to the audience in a tone of direness and unparalleled strength. His admissions are frightening, and his paranoia spills out onto Josh’s drums that sit haphazardly below him. 

The song concludes with a short sentiment: “ I promised you a contract”. 

This track has set the tone of Breach sharply, with no sense of safety in sight. The storyline to unfold is set to be one of tumultuous adventures, and perhaps, lends itself to a gruelling and defeating journey for our protagonist. With something not feeling quite right, the next song needs to come out… like yesterday. 

‍Breach comes out in September via Fueled By Ramen, with a concrete date yet to be revealed. 

Revisit the band's explosive 2024 Australian Tour right here and keep your fingers crossed for a return in the not too distant future!

Words by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002