Scaled and Icy
by Twenty One Pilots
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 21, 2021
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Kerrang!
    May 21, 2021
    60
    There are times on Scaled And Icy where things just feel a little safe. Overall, though, Scaled And Icy is a good record which balances out the occasional underwhelming moment with flashes of brilliance that could only come from its creators.
  2. The Guardian
    May 21, 2021
    60
    For the uninitiated, it will seem a pleasingly buoyant, if conspicuously USP-less, soundtrack to a more universal anticipation of light at the end of a very long tunnel.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Jun 2, 2021
    50
    Like a Maroon 5 with some vulnerability beneath the pop sheen. [Jun 2021, p.77]
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  5. No Ripcord
    May 24, 2021
    40
    Given how much effort twenty one pilots give into their presentation, it's genuinely surprising how uninteresting Scaled and Icy sounds on the surface. ... The music itself sounds so limiting and faceless.

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 314 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 263 out of 314
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 314
  3. Negative: 22 out of 314
  1. Seamless
    May 26, 2021
    3
    As a long time TOP fan I can say with certainty that this is their weakest release so far. The only few stand out tracks are Shy Away,As a long time TOP fan I can say with certainty that this is their weakest release so far. The only few stand out tracks are Shy Away, Redecorate and Bounce Man to an extent. All the sounds here are sounds that either TOP has explored before, like on Vessel, or sounds that have been blatantly ripped off from other artists. Almost every song has the same basic, upbeat feel to it with the only two outliers being the last two tracks. This album was honestly difficult to get through… Full Review »
  2. homekat
    May 25, 2021
    3
    "Propaganda" or not, this album consists of boring watered-down radio hits that function best as background music at Old Navy. Trench was"Propaganda" or not, this album consists of boring watered-down radio hits that function best as background music at Old Navy. Trench was fantastic. This is severely disappointing. I understand the lore, but that doesn't change the fact that every song is tired and uninspired millennial-pop that cannot hold a candle to Trench, let alone any of their other albums. Even Blurryface is far more interesting than this. Hopefully the next album actually expands on Trench in a more mature and realized way.… Full Review »
  3. Patrickx
    May 25, 2021
    2
    Huge disappointment.
    This album is unbelievably bland, boring and uncreative. There’s like two good songs on it, the rest is pure garbage. And    Huge disappointment.
    This album is unbelievably bland, boring and uncreative. There’s like two good songs on it, the rest is pure garbage. And I also don’t care for the story Twenty One Pilots’ albums try to tell. The most important thing is the music, which is really, really bad.    … Full Review »
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