What does Trench sound like?

A dynamic blend of alternative rock and hip-hop, layered with introspective lyrics and vibrant production. Rooted in alternative rock and indie pop. Start with "Jumpsuit".

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

Yes, Trench is recommended as a starting point for new Twenty One Pilots listeners. A dynamic blend of alternative rock and hip-hop, layered with introspective lyrics and vibrant production. Released on October 5, 2018, Trench is Twenty One Pilots' fifth studio album and follows their commercial breakthrough with Blurryface in 2015. At this point in their career, the duo had solidified their unique sound and were navigating the complexities of fame while expanding their thematic depth.

Trench works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, gradual builds and payoffs and late-night contemplative moods.

How many songs are on Trench?

Trench has 14 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Released 8 years ago this October

Trench

Twenty One Pilots · 2018

56 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

A dynamic blend of alternative rock and hip-hop, layered with introspective lyrics and vibrant production.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Jumpsuit Start here — The album opener sets an intense tone with its driving beat and urgent vocals, introducing themes of escape and resilience.
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Chlorine — This track combines catchy hooks with a metaphorical exploration of coping mechanisms, reflecting the album's overarching themes of struggle and recovery.
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Nico and the Niners — With its narrative-driven lyrics, this song deepens the album's concept while showcasing the band's signature blend of rap and melodic elements.
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Neon Gravestones — Challenging conventional themes of mortality, this track presents a hopeful perspective on life and death through its innovative soundscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

Trench showcases a strong blend of genres with thematic depth, though its pacing dips in the second half.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Jumpsuit', that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter part.
Tracks often feature layered instrumentation, blending rock elements with hip-hop beats and electronic textures, creating a dynamic soundscape.

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

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

dynamic emotional journeys
gradual builds and payoffs
late-night contemplative moods
layered, dense sonic textures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Noted for its ambitious storytelling and conceptual depth, marking an artistic high point.
Themes: mental health struggles· internal turmoil
Career context: Released on October 5, 2018, Trench is Twenty One Pilots' fifth studio album and follows their commercial breakthrough with Blurryface in 2015. At this point in their career, the duo had solidified their unique sound and were navigating the complexities of fame while expanding their thematic depth.
Stylistic neighbors: Panic! at the Disco· Fall Out Boy· Imagine Dragons

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Neon Gravestones

The narrator shifts from despair to a hopeful declaration about redefining success in terms of living fully rather than succumbing to darkness.

This lyrical transition showcases a powerful thematic reversal that encourages a proactive approach to life's challenges, embodying the album's core message.