Originally, Twenty One Pilots consisted of three men by the name of Tyler Joseph (lead vocalist), Nick Thomas (bassist), and Chris Salih (drummer). They collaborated in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. After Self-Titled was released, Thomas and Salih left the band, leaving an opportunity for a drummer by the name of Josh Dun. Joseph and \Dun have been the duo behind Twenty One Pilots ever since.
It is easy to assume that this album was made for expression. As one listens to the lyrics, it is impossible not to hear the depth. In various interviews, Joseph has voiced his past struggles with his mental health. Self Titled most likely put Joseph in the first position that ever allowed him to convey the emotions that barricaded him. Themes of religious doubt, personal struggles, and the human condition are emphasized through his delivery.
Self Titled contains fourteen songs, concluding at an hour and two minutes. The fourteen songs are:
Implicit Demand For Proof
☆ Fall Away
✦The Pantaloon
Addict With A Pen
☆ Friend, Please
March To the Sea
Johnny Boy
Oh Ms Believer
☆ Air Catcher
Trapdoor
☆ A Car, a Torch, a Death
✦Taxi Cab
Before You Start Your Day
☆ Isle Of Flightless Birds
☆ : Favorites / ✦ : Honorable Mentions
Implicit Demand For Proof
At the beginning of Implicit Demand For Proof, a sense of peace is represented through a soft melody until a menacing, eerie scratch is introduced. The track quickly transforms into a troubled attempt at understanding. Religion spurs into the song with the first verse, “I know you’re not a liar, and I know you could set fire this day.” The new beat of the song produces an urgency to know the truth Tyler speaks of. Joseph indirectly declares that he craves proof of the existence of God. He questions His power, even if it means God will strike him down in the process for his blasphemy. I believe this song holds relevance in a lot of listener’s hearts and should be contemplated rather than judged. I rate this song a 6/10.
☆ Fall Away
Fall Away has a depressing, suffering tone. Lyrics like “I’ll keep the lights on in this place – ‘Cause I don’t wanna fall, fall away” represent a conflict and disconnection within Joseph’s faith. This song is a fight, an argument, a last attempt. I would give this song an 8/10.
✦ The Pantaloon
Despite sincere lyrics, The Pantaloon is introduced with an energetic, optimistic tune. Joseph slowly walks us through the tedious experience we call life. He describes the motions that a man must flow through, inevitably concluding in the decay of a mind. Humans often neglect the idea that they slowly deteriorate; however, Joseph wanted to confront the ups and downs of the human experience, including death. This song is a 6/10.
Addict With A Pen
Addict With A Pen begins with a somber introduction to God. “Hello, we haven’t talked in quite some time.” Joseph begins describing his shortcomings to God, and why he has no meaning in life. He believes that when he encounters “water,” he encounters God. Yet, he quickly regresses into the desert (sin) and the process repeats. He is literally an addict with a pen. He writes about his sins, yet has no intent to permanently stop them. I rate Addict With A Pen a 7/10.
☆ Friend, Please
In Friend, Please, the flow of the electric sound effects can be described as goosebumps rising and falling and I believe that is the point. The song is about a troubled friend who is contemplating suicide. While Joseph pleads for his friend to stay, he is on edge about what the friend will do. Friend, Please is an important inclusion to the album and an 8/10.
March To the Sea
As a society, it is extremely easy to raise no questions, not care, or ignore what is happening around us until we suffer from it ourselves. March To the Sea is exactly about that. Many people blindly lead themselves into destruction. This song explains life on a deeper level. I would give it a 6/10.
Johnny Boy
Johnny Boy begins with an upbeat tune along with a description of a man referred to as Johnny. Joseph explains how Johnny is disregarded and unappreciated. The song emphasizes how Johnny must not give up. Johnny Boy is a 5/10.
Oh Ms. Believer
As the music begins, a calm, caring pitch in Joseph’s voice creates an outline for the song. The lyric “But the muffs on your ears will cater your fears” and the clever title indicates Oh Ms. Believer is about a person who does not have faith. Additionally, it can be assumed that Joseph is trying to guide the person towards God. Oh Ms. Believer is an 8/10.
☆ Air Catcher
An urgency is immediately presented in Air Catcher. Joseph is trying to avoid falling in love, regardless of how his love interest is slowly taking over his mind. For those who struggle with opening up to someone romantically, Air Catcher is a great listen. I rate it an 8/10.
Trapdoor
Trapdoor begins with a grim melody that represents worry. The entire song is about a lonesome man who will never be truthful with those around him. He suffers from his fears and no one seems to care. Joseph could have easily been talking about himself or those “lost” around him. Trapdoor deserves a 7/10.
☆ A Car, a Torch, a Death
Before a sudden beat drop, A Car, a Torch, a Death begins with Joseph’s isolated voice. He explains how he is depressed “I barely feel a smile deep inside me – And I begin to envy the headlights driving South – I wanna crack the door so I can just fall out;” yet he acknowledges he has a duty to fulfill. He is responsible for safely handling “a heart.” I believe the song is meant to describe how we all have a journey to carry out even if we are struggling to see it at the moment. The song is easily a 9/10.
✦ Taxi Cab
It is hard to navigate Taxi Cab, however, it is obvious that it is personal. I believe Joseph used the lyrics in this song to express how there is no need to be afraid. Taxi Cab is an 8/10.
Before You Start Your Day
Before You Start Your Day is a calm song like many others on the album. It is a comfort for individuals who struggle in their day-to-day lives. Although it is simple, it still has a 5/10 rating.
☆ Isle Of Flightless Birds
This song refers to the human condition and religious doubt. The lyrics point towards the accustomed life humans live. Many people do what they are told, find purpose solely in what others think is purposeful, and repeatedly live out the same “typical” life. I believe Isle Of Flightless Birds is a 10/10.
Overall, Twenty One Pilots’ Self Titled album is a masterpiece. Tyler Joseph went incredibly deep with his lyrics and had no shame for his transparency.
