Review
"Scaled and Icy," the sixth studio album from Twenty One Pilots, dropped on May 21, 2021, and it's like a bright-colored splash of paint on a canvas once filled with dark tones. The album title is an anagram for "Clancy is dead,” tipping the hat to the main character from their previous album, "Trench." Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, this album is like a musical middle finger to the gloom of those times. It’s all about creativity and imagination, wrapped up in a playful blend of alternative rock, pop, and synth-pop that harks back to the vibes of their "Vessel" days.
"Scaled and Icy" serves a cocktail of earworms with tracks like “Shy Away” and “Saturday,” perfect for your energetic indie playlists, while also diving into reflective waters with songs like “The Outside” and “Never Take It.” The lyrics dance around anxiety, doubt, and the magic of human connection, but always throw a lifeline of hope. Critics gave it a nod of approval, highlighting its knack for balancing catchy tunes with meaningful words. Accompanied by the Takeover Tour and the Icy Tour, this album isn’t just proof of Twenty One Pilots’ versatility—it's their upbeat anthem to rolling with the punches and coming out smiling. - Leo
