Grammy-winning alt duo Twenty One Pilots makes a big comeback with “Jumpsuit” and “Nico and the Niners,” promo singles from their third major label LP, ‘Trench.’

After a three-year hiatus, Twenty One Pilots are back.  The Grammy-winning duo who accepted Record of the Year sans pants announced their third major label studio album, Trench.  Ahead of Trench, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun released two singles – “Jumpsuit” and “Nico and the Niners.”

“Jumpsuit” commences mysteriously, including distorted vocals by Tyler Joseph: “Cover Me.”  Interestingly, those two words end up being part of the conceptual narrative conveyed on both “Jumpsuit” and “Nico and the Niners.”  Following the distorted lyrics, the intro expands, including a heavy, assertive bass line and a groove that begins initially with thudding kick drum.  Additional sounds further fill the production out, before settling down when Joseph begins singing normally.  Joseph’s vocals are tender on the chorus, which blends a conceptual narrative and self-consciousness and insecurities.

“I can’t believe how much I hate / Pressures of a new place roll my way / Jumpsuit, jumpsuit, cover me / I crumble underneath the weight…”

The form of “Jumpsuit” is a bit nontraditional.  A short verse appears in between choruses, before a bridge completely changes the mood.  This unpredictability is part of the charm of the record.  Joseph’s vocals are even tenderer on the bridge, while he eventually become his most assertive within the last minute of the song, specifically the return to the chorus.

Final Thoughts

“Jumpsuit” is an intriguing record, period.  Tyler Joseph sounds stellar, the production is great, and the chorus is catchy. Beyond that, there is a unique concept dealing with a fictional place (Dema), bishops, and the yellow on the jumpsuit that the bishops can’t see.  That’s complex, but arguably the most important takeaway is that Joseph – potentially his alter ego “Clancy” is protected by his jumpsuit… or something like that.  Wild and ambitious, but brilliant ultimately.

Twenty One Pilots • Trench • Fueled by Ramen • Release: 7.11.18

Photo Credit: Fueled by Ramen