In general, music can evoke strong feelings in a person. We can connect to music personally throughthe lyrics, melody and rhythm of a song. I experienced a wide range of emotions when listening to the album “BREACH” by Twenty-One Pilots, including melancholy, relaxation and tension. Initially, I did not know anything about this album, and I have not listened to Twenty-One Pilots for the a long time. Nevertheless, I was excited to listen to this new album, and I do not regret it.
Twenty-One Pilots, consisting of vocalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun, released their eighth album “BREACH” on September 12, 2025. It is intended to be a follow-up to their album, “Clancy,” released mid-2024. “BREACH” is the final part of a group of concept albums in which the songs on each album have a bigger meaning together rather than individually. The albums included in this conceptual series are “Blurry face” (2015), “Trench” (2018), “Scaled and Icy” (2021) and “Clancy” (2024).
Having also listened to the other albums in the conceptual series, I can safely say that I can see the connection all these albums share with each other. There is a more thorough story behind the music that plays in your ears. I’m not overly familiar with the lore behind the series, but I am forming an opinion based on a first listen.
Overall, the album tells a story about fear and grief. When listening to BREACH, a listener can tell that struggles with griefas well as embracing the possibility of growth are key themes that are intricately woven into every song. Some songs like “City Walls”, “Robot Voices” and “Center Mass” offer a glimpse into hope and possible change in life while embracing imperfection.
Being ashamed is also another major theme as demonstrated by the upbeat song “The Contract” and the contrasting beat in “Cottonwood.” Living in fear in a world without knowing a loved one is accurately depicted in the song “Days Lie Dormant.” Additionally, “Tally” serves as a heavy penultimate song of the album in which Dun singsabout being let down because of unfulfilled promises.
My favorite song of the whole album is the closing “Intentions.” The song feels like a re-telling of the whole album, and it delivers a spectacular closing by emphasizing the importance of learning from your mistakes. It also further amplifies the idea that it is never too late to try to change for the better.
Twenty-One Pilots’ series of conceptual albums have always had a focus on mental health struggles and grief. “BREACH” doesn’t disappoint in delivering a deeper glance of how those themes may be present in life. Listeners, including me, can truly identify instances where we resonate with the struggles presented in the album.
