[Album Review] Av’s Review of Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots   

Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots is more than just an alternative pop album. Lead singer Tyler Joseph makes his identity difficult to define by singing about inner conflict, dark thoughts, and mental battles. Using instruments such as the ukulele, piano, keyboard, and bass guitar, and percussion played by Josh Dun, the album creates a dramatic and emotional atmosphere. The black paint smeared across Tyler’s neck and hands symbolizes the suffocating feeling of anxiety and insecurity.

Released in 2015, Blurryface explores themes of insecurity, anxiety, and self-doubt through Tyler Joseph’s alter ego, “Blurryface.” This character represents negative thoughts and personal struggles, allowing listeners to relate to the fears and emotions they usually often hide from other people. Throughout the album, Tyler combines emotional lyrics with alternative pop, rap, rock, and electronic music to express these internal battles in a way that feels personal.

If Blurryface were a movie or book, the main conflict would be fighting with yourself and trying to figure out who you are. The narrator suffers from anxiety, fear, self-doubt, and image while trying desperately to be understood. The song Goner stands out to me, especially the line, “I’ve got two faces, blurry’s the one I’m not”, because it sets this image of Tyler Joseph’s real self and his anxious persona blurryface in a constant battle he created for himself. Throughout the album, the narrator is talking to “blurryface” but sometimes directly to the ones listening. 

The mood of the album feels like driving around on a rainy, gloomy day, but the sun is barely shining through the clouds. Everything around you is almost silent, but the thoughts in your head are louder. Some songs make you feel heavy and stuck in your thoughts, while others feel more energetic and passionate and make you move and scream the lyrics.

I think Blurryface successfully gets its message across through his visuals, lyrics, instruments, and production. Tyler Joseph really wanted to be understood while also trying to understand himself at the same time, which makes listeners feel understood too. The album feels universal because everyone hides behind a mask, even if we don’t talk about it. Songs like fairly local and Goner make the listener feel opened up to fear, insecurity, and vulnerability in a way that feels honest.