May 18, 2024 became a Saturday to remember for TWENTY ONE PILOTS fans. Windows full of listening party posters and red tape blocking out names and faces all over, local record store Candy and Records was just as ready to get an early listen to TWENTY ONE PILOTS’ new album, “CLANCY”, as the duo's loyal fans were.
About thirty fans showed up shortly before start time to ensure they didn’t miss a second of the highly-anticipated album. They were greeted with goodies, as any proper party goes, including the exclusive listening album posters, red tape and red jelly bracelets with a cryptic message on them, perfectly in line with the album’s darker vibe. (We later learned the cryptic messaging spells out “CLANCY” in digital-style letters back-to-back.)
The party began with a personal message from drummer JOSH DUN. “I love this album…it means a lot that you came out to give it a listen. We’re really excited for it," he says. “I know a first listen can really shape how you feel about an album and I really hope this is a good experience. In my opinion, there are no skip tracks, but after you listen, you’ll have to let me know…we will see you soon,” he reminds fans, referring to their upcoming tour.
And with DUN’s message full of good vibes, the audience got to dive into “CLANCY" with the album’s first single (and first song) “Overcompensate.” This song feels like a completely new sound for them, being much heavier, more electronic and overall darker than their past eras. “Overcompensate” came out on February 29, 2024, so fans have had a good amount of time to learn all the words, which they proudly showed by singing and dancing along, not missing a single beat.
What was surprising was that energy continued at the same levels for the next two songs, which were also released as singles in March and April. TWENTY ONE PILOTS fans go hard, and are proud to show their dedication to the duo and how much their art resonates with them. Even after the singles were over, which were a fun mix of punky and their almost nu metal style of rapping, the crowd kept dancing and head-bobbing to each song as they discovered more and more songs they knew they were going to love.
A little but further into the album, the sound shifts to some of their more familiar tracks from the “BLURRYFACE” era. That’s not to say the songs that have an edgier sound are bad by any means; they’re different, but they’re composed well and in a manner that matches the band’s overall style. It feels experimental, and ultimately, that feels good.
In the middle of the album, everything comes to a halt with “The Craving (Jenna’s Version),” an acoustic song that frontman TYLER JOSEPH’S wife JENNA JOSEPH contributed to. The song is heartfelt, but it felt too slow for the middle of the album, and a bit jarring to go from their heavier and faster songs, to this one acoustic song, and then back to the heavy and fast songs. It split up the album in an awkward way, and probably would have worked better toward the end with “Paladin Strait.”
Speaking of, “Paladin Strait” was a great song to end the album. Starting slow and building with bubbly chords and soft drums, then growing more into something melodic and powerfully euphoric, it matched the energy of the rest of the songs while providing a slower pace for reflection and a smooth wrap up to the album.
So, DUN was right: this is a no-skip album. And the party’s cheers once the album finished acted as confirmation.
After the party was over, fans stuck around to shop through Candy and Record’s selection of shirts, CDs and vinyl, pre-order “CLANCY” and take photos at the black curtain with red tape backdrop to share on social media with the #ClancyRSC tag to show their excitement to the band and their label. Now, they are counting the days until the album is released.
“CLANCY” comes out this week on May 24, 2024.
TWENTY ONE PILOTS is performing in the Valley on August 30, 2024 at The Footprint Center.
“CLANCY” Tracklist:
Overcompensate
Next Semester
Backslide
Midwest Indigo
Routines in the Night
Vignette
The Craving (Jenna’s Version)
Lavish
Navigating
Snap Back
Oldies Station
At the Risk of Feeling Dumb
Paladin Strait
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