This is Twenty One Pilots from Columbus, Ohio.
The duo uses an array of instruments to craft simple, yet catchy indie bounce tunes that employ a wide range of musical styles all woven together with a heavy rap/poetry feel punctuated by radio-ready anthem laced choruses.
The band name comes from an Arthur Miller play entitled, “All My Sons” in which a man must decide what is best for his family after causing the death of 21 pilots during World War II because he knowingly sent them faulty parts for the good of his business.
Heavy trip coming from some well-read alternative popsters.
The band released two albums before being signed to indie label hotbed Fueled By Ramen in in 2012.
“Vessel” came out in 2013 and made a strong showing with tours with Fall Out Boy and appearances on Conan O’Brien for their late night television debut.
However, their followup that came out in 2015 called, “Blurryface” has a been a slow burn of chart topping effort.
“Blurryface” hit no.1 on the Billboard 200 and the album’s third single, “Stressed Out” is, at the time of this writing, sitting atop both Pop and Alternative Billboard charts.
“From the minute the album came out, ‘Stressed Out’ was raising its hand as a hit record,” said Fueled by Ramen president Mike Easterlin. “It was streaming and selling strongly, even as ‘Tear in My Heart’ was doing well. I could have never imagined that ‘Stressed Out’ would stay at the top of the Alternative Songs chart for so long or cross to pop so fast, but I think we all felt like we had a hit song.”
“Stressed Out” is the first former Alternative Songs No. 1 to crown Pop Songs in more than two-and-a-half-years, since Lorde’s “Royals” in 2013. It’s the first by a duo or group to do so in nearly four years, since fun.’s “We Are Young” (featuring Janelle Monae) in 2012.
Also worth note: Tyler Joseph, half of the Ohio duo, with Josh Dun, wrote “Stressed” by himself. The song is the first to top Pop Songs penned by a single writer in nearly two years, since Pharrell Williams’ self-written “Happy” reigned for four weeks in March-April 2014.
Some more Twenty One Pilots…
“Car Radio” – the guy has flow, undeniable.
“Tear in my Heart” – this one hits with the pop hook that sells records.
“Ride” – 25+ million views. A few people are feeling this…
“Lane Boy” – shows the energy of a live show (wait for the breakdown a little over half-way…)
