Next Semester: Unpacking Twenty One Pilots' Latest Anthem
Twenty One Pilots, the dynamic duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, once again showcase their genre-defying prowess with their newest single, "Next Semester." Released on March 27, the track follows "Overcompensate" and heralds the Clancy World Tour. "Next Semester" is a sonic exploration that defies categorization, reminding listeners of the band's unique appeal.
A Genre-Bending Whirlwind
"Next Semester" refuses to be confined to a single genre, drawing inspiration from various styles. The song's beginning nods to garage rock and punk, genres Twenty One Pilots has flirted with previously. However, the combination of upbeat inflection and serious lyricism transcends these genres. The chorus embraces alternative rock and emo, styles the band is frequently associated with. The track even incorporates a screamo-inspired element during the final chorus recitation.
The Power of the Beat
Josh Dun's drumming provides a pounding energy that drives the track. Drums are symbolically important to the band. The song's relentless beat creates a contagious energy, compelling listeners to move.
Lyrical Duality: Struggling in Silence
The lyrics of "Next Semester" delve into themes of silent struggle and feeling disconnected. Lines like "I don't want to be here, I don't want to be here" express a desire to disappear. The meaning of the song focuses on struggling silently while others drive on by with no emotion. The lyrics are dark, reflecting a person out of touch with reality: "I prayed those lights would take me home / Then I heard, 'Hey kid, get out of the road.'" The song's title, "Next Semester" is delivered with simple sincerity instead of screeched urgency, taking on a more hopeful tone.
Tyler Joseph sings of a student drowning in expectations. Graduation's the finish line, but the path there is a minefield of stress and self-doubt. Lines like "Stand up straight now, Can't break down, Graduate now" show the pressure building, the fear of cracking under the weight of it all. The chorus throws us into a vivid scene: yellow street lines blur, the student feels trapped, wishing for escape. He's stuck in the middle of the road having a panic attack, hoping a car will run him down and end the overwhelming feeling of anxiety. A driver, a symbol of hope and guidance, maybe representing God, slams on the brakes and offers a lifeline. "Can't change what you've done, start fresh next semester," they say. It's a reminder that there's always a chance to break free. We can leave the bad stuff behind and start over with a new semester, a new beginning.
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Sonic Gestures: Music Beyond Words
"Next Semester" effectively uses its sonic landscape to enhance its lyrical themes. The song doesn't rely solely on lyrics to convey its message, instead sonically gesturing toward its larger themes. Joseph's humming and an upbeat-sounding bassline contrast with grave lyrics about wanting to disappear. Continuous guitar melds into Dun's drums, like a headache itching at the back of one's head. Joseph screams, "Hey kid, get out of the road" with a beautiful degree of alarm, overwhelmed by his removal from reality. The music swirls with layers of Joseph's backing vocals, crashing drums, and electric guitar. These musical shifts keep the song from growing stale and give it a hyper, engaging sound.
From Frantic to Hopeful: A Musical Shift
The duo's musical range is highlighted at the song's end as the tone moves from frantic to a lullaby-like simplicity. After Joseph gives the chorus one last run, the drums fade away to focus on the strumming of a ukulele - a nod to Joseph’s iconic use of the instrument throughout the band’s discography. Joseph’s vocals layer over one another, and the conclusive lyrics, “Start fresh next semester,” take on a more hopeful tone when sung with simple sincerity instead of screeched urgency.
Authenticity Reigns: A Return to Roots?
After "Scaled and Icy" adopted a more pop-forward vibe, "Next Semester" may be a reminder of what makes Twenty One Pilots so loveable in the first place: their authenticity. The song does not take on the tone of a single genre, instead adapting itself to the unique sound Twenty One Pilots is known for.
Behind the Scenes: An Extra's Perspective
Hannah E., a staff writer, shared her experience as an extra in the "Next Semester" music video. She applied on a whim after seeing a post from Andrew Donoho, the director, on Instagram. The shoot took place at The Smell, a small punk rock venue in LA.
The Venue and the Vibe
The venue was tiny, with a stage only about 3 feet high. Extras were sprayed with water before each take to create a wet, energetic concert atmosphere. The band, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, were also present and engaged with the extras.
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Tyler's Vision
Tyler Joseph was heavily involved in the video's direction. He taught the extras lines from the song and shared that it was about a panic attack in college. He even had notes on a small piece of paper, though they got wet from the water dripping off his bass. Tyler shared that he had dreams about this music video. He was also seen eating snacks with Ashley, the photographer, and other people.
On Set Details
Tyler was shirtless, with blurryface paint on his hands and neck, army green pants with red tape, and black loafers. Josh wore a see-through mesh tank top, black basketball shorts, and white tall socks. Papers taped to the walls resembled punk rock show posters, some with lyrics like "our brains are sick but that's okay."
A Close Call
During a scene with stairs leading into the crowd, Tyler noticed that someone was going to get hurt. He asked Andrew if we still needed the stairs because someone was going to get hurt.
The Street Scene
After the venue shoot, some extras were taken to an industrial street where they filmed a scene with Tyler in the middle of a circle, playing the ukulele.
The Experience
The extra was grateful for the experience and impressed by the number of people involved behind the scenes. It felt like a special little moment.
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"Next Semester" and the Clancy Narrative
Tyler Joseph wrote and produced "Next Semester" for Twenty One Pilots' seventh album, Clancy. The record serves as the final chapter in their near decade-long series of concept albums. They delve into a fictional world: Trench, a metaphorical space contrasted by the oppressive city of Dema.
The story follows Clancy, who some fans believe is Tyler Joseph's alter ego. Having escaped Dema in the previous album (Scaled and Icy, 2021), Clancy now possesses a supernatural power and plots his return to Trench.
Fan Theories and Interpretations
After the band dropped the song, their fans speculated how "Next Semester" might connect to the ongoing Clancy storyline: "Next Semester" could represent a metaphorical turning point for Clancy. Perhaps after escaping Dema and gaining a miraculous power, he faces a new challenge that requires a fresh start - his "next semester." The song's themes of anxiety and overcoming obstacles might reflect Clancy's internal struggle as he navigates this new phase. Even with his newfound power, Clancy might still be grappling with the psychological effects of his time in Dema. The "panic attack" imagery in the song could represent Clancy's internal conflict as he wrestles with past trauma and prepares for his return to Trench. Perhaps Clancy is being forced into a situation by Dema's lingering influence, leading to his anxiety and desire to escape.
Mental Health and Music: A Broader Perspective
Tyler Joseph's mental health often finds its way into his music. There was a time when people suffering from depression or anxiety fought the battle in silence. In an effort to adhere to contemporary capitalist culture, talk of mental illness was kept to a minimum. These days, the conversation is much more relaxed thanks to social media.
The Dangers of Oversimplification
While raising awareness is crucial, there's a risk of oversimplifying mental health issues. Some may self-diagnose or romanticize mental illness. It’s insensitive to make such accusations since Twenty One Pilots are held to such high regard by younger listeners. Even if the word ‘suicide’ is never said. The crux of the problem is the lack of sensitivity to those who actually live with depression and suicidal thoughts. Appropriation is demonstrative of privileged demographics trying to make something their own. By their logic, being sad means having depression or being shy means having social anxiety. The next time you feel a wave of uncontrollable sadness, perhaps you should turn the pop record off and talk to someone who’s willing to talk back.
Relatability, Narrative, and Emotional Complexity
"Next Semester" resonates with listeners because of its relatable themes, narrative structure, and emotional depth. The song uses common phrases and universal experiences. It progresses from despair to hope, driven by specific events and characters. The lyrical details and passionate sound create a vivid experience. The layering and progression of moods - frenzied, anxious, desperate, frightened, plaintive, calm, relieved - add emotional complexity.
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