Twenty One Pilots - Scaled And Icy

Written and largely produced by Tyler Joseph in his home studio during the 2020 lockdowns, Scaled and Icy is the product of a world "scaled back and isolated" (an anagram of the album's title). While Josh Dun engineered the drums from across the country, the duo used long-distance virtual sessions to process the anxiety and doubt of an upended year. The result is arguably their most colorful and introspective work—a collection of songs that trades the dark, heavy lore of Trench for a bright, synth-driven sound that focuses on the possibilities worth remembering.

This vinyl release, via Fueled By Ramen, captures the crisp, pop-forward production of the record. From the upbeat, deceptive sunshine of "Good Day" to the gritty, guitar-driven "Never Take It" and the fan-favorite closing track "Redecorate," the album pushes forward through setbacks with a new level of songwriting maturity. It’s an essential document of a specific moment in time, showing a band refusing to let isolation stifle their creativity.