Review: Twenty-One Pilots “Drum Show”

Twenty-One Pilots has finally released a second single from their new album, Breach, so naturally, we have to talk about it in preparation for the new album.

Just like with “The Contract”, “Drum Show” has a very distinct sound to it due it blending the musical styles of previous albums. Overall, the drums give Blurryface vibes, while Tyler Joseph’s falsetto and the guitar are reminiscent of Trench and Scaled and Icy. So far, it definitely seems that Breach will be Blurryface part two, but there is something different that I think sets this song apart from other songs the alt-rock duo has produced.

For one thing, “Drum Show” is a lot more punk rock than other songs produced by Twenty-One Pilots thanks to its percussion-heavy instrumentals. This is an interesting break from their other albums which have often been all over the place with what musical style their songs were. It’s the first time the band has ever done something more strictly rock-‘n-roll.

The other thing that makes this song different from the others is that it focuses on Josh Dun, not Clancy. Sure, Tyler Joseph/Clancy is the one singing most of the time, but once Josh’s vocals are added to it in the lyrics “I’ve been this way/ I want to change/ I’ve been this way/ I want to change,” it changes the whole dynamic. It becomes clear that Josh isn’t just a mention in this song as we’re used to him being in other albums. He’s the main focus. It’s his story.

While this could just be a one-off thing and not mean anything, my theory is that this inclusion of Josh’s story my come into play with the Dema storyline. In Trench, it’s shown that Josh is the leader of the Banditos, the group that’s made up of people who have fled Dema’s clutches and want to see it destroyed. Add in his friendship with Clancy, who is still swinging back and forth between the Bandito’s and Dema’s control, I think that Josh’s story is going to play a big role in this album. Being the leader of the Bandito’s, he had to have been an early – if not the first – escapee of Dema. Thanks to this, I think by showing Josh’s side of the story, not only does it elevate him from just being a side character, but it may add to how Clancy eventually gets rid of Dema.

Until next time,

M.J.