By Shayla Parker, Arts Editor/Digital Editor
On April 9, Twenty One Pilots (TOP) released a much needed track: “Level of Concern.” From the opening line, “Panic on the brain, world has gone insane,” to the last, “Tell me we’re okay, I need you,” the song offers comfort.
“always writing, but this one feels like it should just come out now,” lead singer Tyler Joseph said in a Tweet. “i think it’s simple but hopeful (sic).”
While TOP doesn’t really fit into one genre since their style is constantly changing, “Level of Concern” does fit their general mold: delightful melancholy.
“I could tell it [“Level of Concern”] was theirs [TOP] because they have similar sounding songs and layering— stuff that makes it easily recognizable,” junior Katelynn Whisler said.
Instrumentally it’s pretty upbeat— even a bit funky in some areas. Lyrically the song is more-so on the downside. This is typical of the duo, masking “sad” songs in “happy” beats.
The song explains how being around loved ones makes the difference between being okay or not right now as it is an especially difficult time to be lonely.
“Not only is it showing that he [ Joseph] is struggling, but he’s hopeful because he’s found someone to help him get through this,” senior Tristin Cozine said.
With lyrics such as “Would you be my little quarantine?” and “You could bring down my level of concern,” it is implied that keeping loved ones around is really all that’s needed right now.
This is not to say, however, that TOP encourages breaking your social distancing in order to do so.
Along with the song’s debut, the duo also premiered a music video to go along with it. About two thirds of the video is actually the process behind putting together the new track— Joseph and drummer Joshua Dun send a flash drive back and forth with their parts of the song upload.
Without ever actually interacting in person, each band member does their part in COVID-19 precautions.
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