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MUSIC FEATURE

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$UICIDEBOY$ NEW WORLD DEPRESSION N ew Orleans’ punk-trap duo $uicideboy$ (or $B) are controversial for their handle – and for rapping about mental health struggles, substance abuse, and irreligion. $uicideboy$ was formed in 2014 by cousins $crim (Scott Arceneaux Jr) and Ruby da New World Depression , captures an act at ease with their increasingly mainstream profile. But they haven’t lost that

subcultural fervour. The lead single Us Vs. Them , a bassy bumper, recalls Southern horrorcore renegades Geto Boys. $uicideboy$ flex their

Cherry (Aristos Petrou) – the latter previously a drummer in bands. Raised on Three 6 Mafia, the prolific pair would establish a devoted following as outré Soundcloud rappers. In 2018 they crossed over with an

sonic dynamism. The opener Lone Wolf Hysteria is moshable trap, Mental Clarity Is a Luxury I Can’t

official debut, I Want to Die in New Orleans . Nowadays $uicideboy$ are a streaming phenomenon. Last year they played their inaugural Coachella (returning to Australia for sold-out dates in March). In fact, these self-proclaimed misfits promote collective healing – their nihilistic music uplifting with its energy and, surprisingly, dark comedy. $uicideboy$’s fourth album,

$UICIDEBOY$: Ruby da Cherry and $crim

most transgressively pop, as they channel Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Juice WRLD alike. The emo-rap antiheroes close with an atmospheric fifth instalment in their infamous Kill Yourself series for day one fans. Ever on brand. Cyclone Wehner Depression by $UICIDEBOY$ is out June 14 via G*59 Records/ The Orchard. TWENTY ONE PILOTS CLANCY Afford lurches into drill, and elsewhere there are ambient looped female vocals. Yet the wryly-titled Are You Going to See the Rose in the Vase, or the Dust on the Table? is $uicideboy$ at their New World

T he ‘concept album’ is have consistently reformulated it, transforming cringe into cool. Still, as an audiovisual project, Clancy is their most audacious yet. The Columbus, Ohio duo – theatrical frontman and multi instrumentalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun – broke through with 2015’s Blurryface , oft-maligned – but US alt rockers Twenty One Pilots

sublimating themes of anxiety, human frailty, and existential angst. Now comes the series finale in Clancy , titled for the Trench saga’s protagonist, who’s escaped the dystopian citadel of Dema. Ironically, Clancy can be enjoyed without even following the story, such is Joseph’s songwriting prowess. He reunites with Mutemath’s Paul Meany as co-producer, cutting everything from garage-punk to

Twenty One Pilots: Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph

named after Joseph’s destructive alter ego. It topped the US charts and spawned the band’s Grammy winning rap-reggae mega-hit Stressed Out . Twenty One Pilots further developed an imaginary world on 2018’s Trench and the pandemic-era Scaled and Icy – again

balladry to acoustica ( The Craving (Jenna’s Version) ). The epic first single Overcompensate is redolent of Muse’s dubstep phase – classical piano interrupted by breakbeats, with Joseph rapping (it’ll be a live highlight on November’s arena tour). Clancy ’s pinnacle is the

Clancy with the airy Paladin Strait . Clancy is an album that will transport listeners as much as any blockbuster movie or book – a feat. Cyclone Wehner

dramatic anthem Navigating . But the most engaging surprise? Oldies Station , a feel good radio excursion elevated by nostalgic ‘80s synths. Twenty One Pilots farewell

Clancy by Twenty One Pilots is out May 24 via Fueled By Ramen / Warner Music

28 JUNE 2024

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