Inspired by Arthur Miller’s 1946 play All My Sons (referencing a moral dilemma that led to the death of 21 pilots in the story), Twenty One Pilots is a name Multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph chose for his band to remind them to act with integrity. Initially formed in 2009 as a three-piece band led by Joseph, the project has since become known solely as Joseph, with long-time Drummer Josh Dun joining in 2011.
Steadily moving upward, Twenty One Pilots had already built a substantial local following before signing with Fueled by Ramen in 2012, thanks to their energetic live shows and DIY ethos. Then, success came massively with 2015’s Blurryface, which made them mainstream famous, producing hits like “Stressed Out” and “Ride.” This is the moment that introduces the Dema saga, a metaphor for oppression, mental health struggles, and societal control. Since that time continuing to find success, there was 2018’s Trench, which was a conceptual album expanding their mythic narrative (the Banditos vs. Dema), 2022’s Scaled and Icy (which was brighter, more playful tone; created during pandemic isolation) and 2024’s Clancy (a direct continuation of Trench’s lore, the confrontation of the Dema saga).
Topping charts each time, in 2025, Twenty One Pilots do it again with their latest album, Breach. Released on September 12, 2025, Breach debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and marks their second number one album in the USA behind the mega Blurryface. Extremely impressive, their eighth overall studio album, it boasts 13 tracks of what Phil Spector coined his ‘Wall of Sound’ from the opening chords of “City Walls.” The sounds are all-encompassing as the track talks about confronting confinement. “RAWFEAR” follows on its heels with an ever-increasing tempo about facing fear, taking it by the horns. This is while “Drum Show” is an interesting piece, with the ‘drum show’ drowned out by life’s bad. Meanwhile, “Garbage” has a bopping tune set to dark lyrics, because the goings-on make him “feel like garbage.”
As the album moves on, there is still plenty of intrigue in the layered “The Contract,” which aptly explores the facets of life’s obligations. Then “Downstairs” is a full-body head bang piece during the chorus as the duo sing about hiding from judgment. On the other side of the spectrum, “Robot Voices” is a fun, poppy track that reminds us of retro while literally talking about, like the proverbial dancing like no one is watching, but not because they don’t, but because they don’t think anybody cares about them…until they find out otherwise. Joining this “Center Mass” is another high-tempo piece, but the lyrics belie the groove by talking about being a bullseye for being bullied for being different.
With more diversity in tow, “Cottonwood” is a melancholic piece of memory, with lyrics that allude, perhaps, to death. In contrast, “One Way” has a light, funky feel that aligns with the message of identity dysmorphia, emphasizing just being different. This is before the high-energy “Days Lie Dormant,” which feels like a leg nervously tapping the floor as the lyrics talk about knowing they need to do more with their lives, but almost being too scared to start, so nothing happens. Which leads us to the Rock ballad of “Tally,” complete with the one who doesn’t believe he is deserving of the one who is there for them 100 percent, and closer, the introspective “Intentions,” which has a bare-bones accompaniment to the vocals, sealing the riff/breach the beginning started with.
In the end, Breach concludes the Twenty One Pilots’ Dema saga, which began a decade earlier with Blurryface. Oppression has been vanquished, and people have found their voices to claim their identities. Everybody with a good heart deserves to be their authentic selves. Therefore, Cryptic Rock gives Twenty One Pilots Breach 5 out of 5 stars.
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