Is TOPxMM a good place to start with Twenty One Pilots?

Yes, TOPxMM is recommended as a starting point for new Twenty One Pilots listeners. An eclectic blend of genres, merging introspective lyrics with vibrant hooks and infectious rhythms that challenge conventional pop structures. By the time Twenty One Pilots released TOPxMM in December 2016, they were riding high on the success of their previous album Blurryface, which had catapulted them into mainstream popularity. This project serves as a companion piece to Blurryface, showcasing their signature sound while exploring darker themes and personal struggles amidst commercial acclaim.

TOPxMM works well if you're into steady mid-tempo exploration, infectious melodies for sing-alongs and introspective lyrics with dynamic rhythms.

How many songs are on TOPxMM?

TOPxMM has 5 tracks, running approximately 21 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

TOPxMM

Twenty One Pilots · 2016

21 min · 5 tracks · alternative rock

An eclectic blend of genres, merging introspective lyrics with vibrant hooks and infectious rhythms that challenge conventional pop structures.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Heathens Start here — As the lead single, this track encapsulates the band's ability to blend dark themes with catchy melodies, making it both commercially successful and culturally resonant.
→
Ride — With its rhythmic shift between rap verses and melodic choruses, this song illustrates the band's genre-blurring style while addressing existential questions.
→
Lane Boy — This track stands out for its clever commentary on conformity within the music industry, merging funk influences with sharp lyrical wit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks some cohesion in its diverse styles.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Heathens,' opens with a slow build-up that transitions into a driving rhythm, setting a darker tone for the EP.
The final track, 'Lane Boy,' incorporates a shift in tempo and style, introducing elements of funk and jazz that diverge from the preceding tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo exploration
infectious melodies for sing-alongs
introspective lyrics with dynamic rhythms
brief sessions with engaging content

Maybe skip if you

seeking long, immersive pieces
prefer instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Features 'Heathens', a hit that solidified their mainstream presence post-Blurryface.
Themes: dark societal commentary· inner turmoil· neon-lit vulnerability
Career context: By the time Twenty One Pilots released TOPxMM in December 2016, they were riding high on the success of their previous album Blurryface, which had catapulted them into mainstream popularity. This project serves as a companion piece to Blurryface, showcasing their signature sound while exploring darker themes and personal struggles amidst commercial acclaim.
Stylistic neighbors: Panic! at the Disco· Fall Out Boy· Imagine Dragons