Twenty One Pilots Weave Us Back Into Their Cryptic Web With New Single, ‘Overcompensate’

When the definition of fandom looms close, no band comes quicker to mind than the alternative duo, Twenty One Pilots. If you are anything like me, this band is responsible for long, grueling nights uncovering codes and working out encrypted files like I had five years of experience in cyber security. Now, after a three year period of rest, the band is back with the announcement of Clancy, the pivotal and defining returning album. Of course, the moment was commemorated by today’s single, ‘Overcompensate’, an reignition of past theories, and an invitation back into the complex and layered environment that demands all of its listeners.

In a complete diversion to their usual secrecy, the band marked their return by dropping an intense four minute video in which they laid the pathways, constructing at least four eras worth of narratives into one amalgamated chunk of lore. In a feat many had taken years to work out and multiple diaries to explain, Twenty One Pilots ceased to leave anyone in the creative trenches, and instead rallied their troops to dive into the next era with a level playing field. From Vessel to Trench, the outward sinisterness of Blurryface to the brightness of Scaled and Icy, for once, everything made sense.

‘Overcompensate’ entrances with its initial solemn piano, a soft and delicate welcome to the otherwise vivid, eerie and capturing world of red lighting, glowing eyes, and complete takeover by secondary parties. This chaos begins to pick up as electronic instrumentals spiral, gaining in their intensity and feeling of uncertainty, before capturing the listener and “welcoming them back to Trench”, a complex and mysterious world fostered heavily within their last two album cycles. This homage does not end instrumentally, and instead extends to the song’s lyrics, using proclamations from the Trench track, ‘Bandito’, documenting a now polarizing loss of control and autonomy from the protagonist of the story. Interestingly, the track also places emphasis upon the phrase “Sahlo Folina”, meaning to enable creative expressions, and perhaps a reference to the protagonist being free from the performative stakes of the Scaled and Icy era.

After dropping into a swift tone change, Joseph swoops in with a soft rap, one of his various trademarks. With a swagger and confidence, he then glides into his certain yet delicate vocals. These two juxtaposing vocal features are backed by Dun’s drum performance that is heavily reminiscent of their 2018 style- submerged with a groove but not heavily intrusive. With plenty of references within the lyrics, the track had an old fan like me dusting off their beanie and tape (mainly from jumping up and down so much).

It is in the final bridge where Joseph’s nonchalant yet passionate phrasing takes over, and presents itself in such an insatiable and intoxicating way, leaving you unable to retreat as his utterances stimulate your senses. As the final “overcompensate” closes the track, it is clear that the new era is set to be one of the most immersive, challenging, and creatively inspired yet.

‘Overcompensate’ fulfills Twenty One Pilots large break, both creatively and musically. Using the track as a vessel to elaborate on the past, and more so, actively create the future of the band, the track perfectly immerses listeners new and old into the convoluted intricacies of the band. This track is sure to suffice until May 17th, when the band’s next studio album, Clancy, drops via Fueled By Ramen.

Words by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002

Pre-order Clancy here

Twenty One Pilots – Clancy tracklisting

1. Overcompensate
​2. Next Semester
​3. Midwest Indigo
​4. Routines In The Night
​5. Backslide
​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