Arachnophonia: Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Yangyue (class of 2024) and features Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots. Thanks, Yangyue!

Twenty One Pilots

Blurryface

Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface album cover

While Blurryface has never been my favorite album by Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out,” the first song I heard from this album, holds a special place for me as it introduced me to the group.

Originally a band, Twenty One Pilots is now a duo. “Heathens” is probably their most well-known song, released as the lead single from the motion picture soundtrack to the DC Comics film Suicide Squad (2016). The album dives into themes of insecurity, anxiety, and self-doubt, personified by the character of Blurryface, representing the darker aspects of the human psyche. Each track feels like a window into the singer’s inner turmoil, with hits like “Stressed Out” capturing the universal feeling of pressure to succeed while longing for simpler times. The album blends genres like pop, hip-hop, and alternative rock.

Though some people, including fans, may criticize Blurryface for its commercial success and mainstream appeal, its widespread popularity shows its ability to connect with listeners on a profound level, addressing universal themes of insecurity and self-doubt in a relatable way. However, I believe that other tracks like “Lane Boy” and “The Judge” deserve the same appreciation as the most popular singles. I listened to them a lot when I was stressed out in high school.

Parsons Playlists: Night

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Yangyue (class of 2024) and features some night time listening.

Night

Night time photo

These are my favorite songs to play at night. Enjoy listening!

郭頂 (Guo Ding) – “淒美地 (The Fog Space)”

YOASOBI – “アンコール (Encore)”

베이식, 아넌딜라이트, 소코도모, 머드 더 스튜던트 (Basick, Anandelight, Mudd the student, sokodomo) – “고생이 많아 (A Long Day) (Feat. Zion.T)”

Wonstein – “Infrared Camera”

Karen Mok – “這世界那麼多人 (Empty World)”

宇多田ヒカル (Hikaru Utada) – “First Love”

NIKI – “La La Lost You (Acoustic Version)”

Ben&Ben – “Leaves”

Sam Kim – “Summer Rain”

Joji – “Glimpse of Us”

Twenty One Pilots – “Truce”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewLdkTwUqSmMY28EptIRInH&si=s0NkXXHys7Nypgqi

Parsons Playlists: Starry Night

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features a playlist for a starry night.

Starry Night

This playlist is inspired by a stargazing night with friends!

Stargazing with telescope

Demi Lovato – “My Love Is Like A Star”

Elton John – “Rocket Man”

Joji – “Slow Dancing In The Dark”

Rainbow Kitten Surprise – “All That And More (Sailboat)”

Twenty One Pilots – “Oh Ms. Believer”

Billie Eilish – “Halley’s Comet”

Sleeping At Last – “Light”

Cigarettes After Sex – “Sunsetz”

Beach House – “Space Song”

Djo – “Chateau (Feel Alright)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexJKfsPaCowiVR-rh1UfX7S

Arachnophonia: Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features Twenty One Pilots’ 2015 album Blurryface. Thanks, Kiran!

Twenty One Pilots
Blurryface

Twenty One Pilots Live

Wait…how many Pilots?

The early 2010s gave rise to a multitude of alternative-rock bands: Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and Cage the Elephant, just to name a few. I, like most other middle/high schoolers at the time, was obsessed with these bands. Twenty One Pilots was no exception. The duo from Columbus, Ohio, exploded into the alternative-rock scene with their 2015 album, Blurryface. Their songs “Stressed Out”, “Tear in My Heart”, and “Ride” were all hits, with “Ride” making the top 5 on The US Billboard 100. The band went on to win the 2017 Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Bandmates Tyler Joseph and Joshua Dun accepted the award without their pants, as a tribute to the way they were watching the Grammys a few years prior to their breakout.

In his speech, Joseph concluded that “anyone from anywhere can do anything,” which aligns with the overarching message they convey through their music and performances. The duo often sings of mental hardships and social constructs, but have always weaved a positive narrative into their music. Their two most recent albums, Trench (2018) and Scaled and Icy (2021), have intricate story lines that show how perseverance can outstand even the toughest circumstances. Each song plays a different role and serves as a world-building tool. “Dema” is a fictional land that is guarded by several bishops, each representing an inner demon or fear. Throughout several videos, Joesph and Dun befriend the weird creatures and strange rebels in order to escape. These are just a few examples of how Twenty One Pilots uses creative techniques to express raw and difficult emotions and experiences.

Although I didn’t understand how relatable these lyrics were at the time, my 8th grade-self fell in love with the intricate bass lines and vibrant drum solos. Since then, my fondness for this band has grown exponentially. While some have outgrown the duo, I have continued to follow their musical journey. Twenty One Pilots is currently on their third world tour and came to the DMV last month. I’ve seen three of their shows over the past six years and have yet to be disappointed. Their stage presence and interaction with the fan base is incredible and truly a unique experience.

If you’re ready to start an emotional roadshow, come check out Blurryface and other related CDs in Parsons Music Library!

Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface album cover

Parsons Playlists: My Chemical Reaction

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features music to accompany an organic chemistry lab as curated by Music Library student assistant Kiran (class of 2024).

My Chemical Reaction

Chemistry and Music

Part 1: The Beginning of the Lab

Florence + The Machine – “Hunger”
Usually I get to lab and I’m hungry so I try to distract myself with some hype music.

The Strokes – “The Adults Are Talking”
Usually my professor gives a small lecture before we get started if needed.

Twenty-One Pilots – “Shy Away”
I start to work with tunnel vision and tune out the other groups in lab.

Part 2: Focus Mode

Conan Gray – “Overdrive”

Salt-N-Pepa – “Push It”

MARINA – “Oh No!”
This is usually where something goes wrong in the reaction or I spill a chemical.

Gorillaz feat. Daley – “Doncamatic”

Majestic + Boney M. – “Rasputin”

Various Artists – “Punjabi Mashup”
Adding some culture to the mix, helps me feel energized if lab is going really slowly.

Mac Miller – “The Spins”

MGMT – “Electric Feel”

Part 3: Did it work?

Gorillaz – “Revolving Doors”
This is the part where the reaction usually needs time to sit and we have other work to do.

Lil Peep & ILoveMakonnen feat. Fall Out Boy – “I’ve Been Waiting”

Crystal Castles – “Vanished”
Our reaction worked! Now we have to analyze it with spectroscopy.

Tame Impala – “Is It True”
Now we have to see how pure the product is using our data.

Drake – “Over”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey5UNqlVtbkpRx5n_g01OsT

Parsons Playlist: Bands Make the World Go Round

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today we’re featuring a playlist entitled “Bands Make the World Go Round” curated by Music Library student manager Danny (class of 2023).

Twenty One Pilots – “Ode to Sleep”

Twenty One Pilots – “Tear In My Heart”

Twenty One Pilots – “Not Today”

Paramore – “That’s What You Get”

Paramore – “Still Into You”

Paramore – “Misery Business”

The Struts – “Could Have Been Me”

The Struts – “One Night Only”

The Struts – “Fire – Part 1”

The Struts – “Ashes – Part 2”

Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”

The Script – “Breakeven”

The Script – “If You Could See Me Now”

Fall Out Boy – “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down”

Fall Out Boy – “Alone Together”

The Killers – “Mr. Brightside”

The Killers – “When You Were Young”

The Killers – “This River Is Wild”

The Killers – “Bones”

My Chemical Romance – “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”

My Chemical Romance – “Welcome to the Black Parade”

My Chemical Romance – “Helena”

My Chemical Romance – “I Don’t Love You”

The Strokes – “Someday”

Boys Like Girls – “The Great Escape”

Matchbox Twenty – “Unwell”

All Time Low – “Dear Maria, Count Me In”

We the Kings – “Check Yes, Juliet”

Here is the playlist on Spotify:

And here is a YouTube version: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyChf4LFI5mPm1kgDK1aR4e

New CDs added in February!

New CDs for February 2017

Classical

Francis Poulenc – Gloria for soprano solo, chorus and orchestra

Poulenc -- Gloria

Charles Rosen – The Complete Columbia and Epic Album Collection

Charles Rosen Collection

Pop/Rock/R&B

The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
The Avett Brothers – True Sadness

Avett Brothers - True Sadness

De La Soul – And The Anonymous Nobody
Prince – HITnRUN Phase One

De La Soul - Anonymous Nobody

Prince – HITnRUN Phase Two
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

Jill Scott – Woman
A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here Thank You 4 Your Service
Twenty One Pilots – Blurryface

Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface

Musical Theatre

Jay Kuo – Allegiance: Original Broadway Cast Recording

Allegiance - Cast Recording