Scaled and Icy
by Twenty One Pilots
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 21, 2021
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
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  1. 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 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"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.… Expand
  2. 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, 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 theAs 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… Expand
  3. nekyo
    May 23, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A solid 5. I mean, I'm a huge top fan, but this record is undoubtedly (for me) their worst performance. I understand they're trying exploring new genres, but this didn't come out as expected. It sometimes feels like it's not them, like when I first listened to Shy Away, I thought I was listening to The Drums or some indie band. Then songs like Saturday, I thought it was a brighter version of Avicii or David Guetta, or Mulberry Street and Bounce Man which are commercial pop anthems. From Vessel/RAB, which was a huge start point for what their career was leading to, to Blurryface, an album that established their road, finally to Trench, their best record. After developing 3 great works in a row the fence is set higher, but I don't think Scaled and Icy made it. The way they almost debugged the rap verses and hip hop vibes was really strange for me because their previous album was almost full of these. Nevertheless, the production was still amazing, and I'd save songs like Choker, The Outside and Redecorate (although I don't know if that's an unpopular opinion) just because they were the most similar to what I was expecting. This is just a review for the music, I believe their concept story will go further with this album.… Expand
  4. normanfgabriel
    May 21, 2021
    6
    cute. nothing more. very pop rock, nice lyrics, good to play at ambient whitout paying so much atention.
  5. GabirobaLadeira
    May 23, 2021
    10
    This is the best Twenty One Pilots album until now. It's completely dancing, optimistic, good vibes experience. Just love it
  6. Stephsrs21
    May 21, 2021
    10
    cara, esse álbum está simplesmente maravilhoso e a estética audiovisual está impecável. twenty one pilots, vocês nunca erram!
  7. Leticiasilva22
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Its just perfect, im listening to this since came out and i cant stop, omg is just fabulous
  8. Camero246
    May 21, 2021
    6
    A fine album that doesn't push any boundaries and continues twenty one pilots transition to the pop genre
  9. maxxie1227
    May 22, 2021
    10
    x Eu realmente não entendo da onde vem o argumento do álbum fraco. Entendo o pessoal que não gosta, principalmente por virem do blurryface e trench (inclusive eu estranhei trench quando saiu), mas fraco? Pelo amor dos bispos. Ouve a melodia le as letras disfarçadas mdss do céu fraco onde?????? Agora se a vertente da onde veio vocês não curtem daí tudo bem é questão de gosto e ninguém forçax Eu realmente não entendo da onde vem o argumento do álbum fraco. Entendo o pessoal que não gosta, principalmente por virem do blurryface e trench (inclusive eu estranhei trench quando saiu), mas fraco? Pelo amor dos bispos. Ouve a melodia le as letras disfarçadas mdss do céu fraco onde?????? Agora se a vertente da onde veio vocês não curtem daí tudo bem é questão de gosto e ninguém força a gostar. Até porque do self-titled pro vessel é extremamente divergente, assim como de vessel pra blurryface e do blurryface pra trench. E eu não sei da onde vocês tiram que não parece top tb. Nada parece top até eles criarem algo totalmente diferente e daí tcharammmm isso é twenty one pilots. E pra concluir entendo e respeito o pessoal que não gostou e afins a pegada dançante mas quando vejo algum tipo de comentário depreciando como se fosse uma obra mal feita ou fraca ou que não parece top vsf é querer muito forçar a barra porque não saiu um blurryface 2.0… Expand
  10. Dionysus14
    May 22, 2021
    10
    Este álbum es excelente, twenty one pilots sigue marcando lo que es su esencia, no puedes decir que "cambiaron" cuando ellos nunca han tenido un género específico, ni tampoco decir que es malo, porque realmente cada canción tiene un lugar en este album y es perfecto aún así tenga 11 canciones, se siente también ir canción tras cancion que quieres bailarlas todas. Opino que jamás podríaEste álbum es excelente, twenty one pilots sigue marcando lo que es su esencia, no puedes decir que "cambiaron" cuando ellos nunca han tenido un género específico, ni tampoco decir que es malo, porque realmente cada canción tiene un lugar en este album y es perfecto aún así tenga 11 canciones, se siente también ir canción tras cancion que quieres bailarlas todas. Opino que jamás podría darle skip a alguna cancion, y merece una calificación excelente.… Expand
  11. andersss1
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Sem palavras, esses caras simplesmente são geniais, a cada disco novo uma nova pegada mas mantendo sua originalidade, Never take it me lembrou uma pegada de rock dos anos 80, uma obra prima. A cada musica uma vibe diferente e mantendo a qualidade, só tenho que agradecer por ter conhecido esses caras em 2016 e poder acompanha-los...
  12. 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 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.
  13. mafefigueiredo
    May 21, 2021
    10
    another incredible masterpiece. it’s a great day to me a clikkie. thank you twenty one pilots. i love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  14. Kens116
    May 22, 2021
    0
    This album is addictive.
    Top production.
    Top songwriting.
    Most of the songs can be released as a single.
    Sounds like we will be listening to this for years to come.
  15. gabizoka
    May 21, 2021
    0
    depois do bop blurryface seguido do queridinho trench eles realmente se perderam e fizeram essa miséria de álbum sem sal
  16. ViolaS
    May 28, 2021
    9
    I was a bit wary about this album, because I was worried it will be 'Trench 2' and I never listened to the whole Trench... I didn't even 'hate' it, I was just indifferent.

    This one is the exact opposite - it's really addictive. I love the bright, catchy music, sometimes juxtaposed with lyrics, I love how it makes you pay attention to the 'story'. It's not perfect, but it's very clear    I was a bit wary about this album, because I was worried it will be 'Trench 2' and I never listened to the whole Trench... I didn't even 'hate' it, I was just indifferent.

    This one is the exact opposite - it's really addictive. I love the bright, catchy music, sometimes juxtaposed with lyrics, I love how it makes you pay attention to the 'story'. It's not perfect, but it's very clear they had a vision, they knew what and why they wanted to do here - and imho they succeeded.    … Expand
  17. jesusraul
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, sheet on it, vomeet on it, eat it, give birth to it.
  18. Pedrohabitz
    May 21, 2021
    8
    Happiness didn't fit with them, I want sad songs again. Kidding, not they best album but it's a nice one.
  19. ffravs
    May 22, 2021
    10
    Great album, fun, bright but it gets even better when you know the meaning behind it. Keep in mind that its not supposed to sound like twenty one pilots
  20. RafaCavalheiro
    May 21, 2021
    10
    The album looks amazing. Is so good. It was worth all 3 years of waiting. Twenty One Pilots excels at each launch and it is proven, they are the best.
  21. AlexusMT
    May 21, 2021
    10
    It's a twenty one pilot's album, that's enough. Some people can be angry or sad about the change BUT we have to see our boys growing and this is beautiful
  22. emilianomb07
    May 26, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Álbum 100% disfrutable con ninguna canción mala, 0 skips, una gran mezcla, que para en las difíciles condiciones con las que se grabó, es simplemente una maravilla.… Expand
  23. luizfilipe
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns do ano. Leve, bem produzido, com mensagens fortes e super bem escrito. Tyler Joseph e Josh Dun nunca decepcionam! No Chances e Redecorate são as maiores do álbum!
  24. jesuscnt
    May 25, 2021
    10
    iconic and serving quality music as always, they're experimenting a lot and that what makes them a great band
  25. AlessiDelPino
    May 26, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I believe Twenty One Pilots solidifies this aesthetic with the wording and the lyrics as well. I’ve seen many people disliking this new pop aspect with songs like “Saturday.” It may not be your favorite, however the band itself does not emphasize in capsule their sound based on their standards. I recommend listening first in order and then shuffle them out. You will understand the propaganda the world they’re displaying (DEMA). And the million theories they have about this topic makes the album interesting. Personal favorites are: Mulberry Street, Good Day, Redecorate, Shy Away and Saturday. Reconsider that this album is somewhat different to previous ones, but don’t discredit the effort and work put into it. A really nice album with some skips (The Outside and Never Take It personally speaking). Let’s learn to appreciate every artists’ work without whining about it.… Expand
  26. JordanJ93
    May 25, 2021
    10
    Great Album! With catchy songs like Saturday and Mulberry Street to classic sounding songs like Choker and my personal favorite, Redecorate. This album has something for everyone!
  27. petrichor1975
    May 21, 2021
    6
    Going into this newest release from Ohio alternative duo Twenty One Pilots, I was skeptical. The singles, "Shy Away" and "Choker" did not really give me any excitement or hype into the upcoming release. Surprisingly, "Saturday" gave me a bit more hope, but not much. It did read like a Target commercial song.

    The first song, "Good Day", supported this theory that the group was not up to    Going into this newest release from Ohio alternative duo Twenty One Pilots, I was skeptical. The singles, "Shy Away" and "Choker" did not really give me any excitement or hype into the upcoming release. Surprisingly, "Saturday" gave me a bit more hope, but not much. It did read like a Target commercial song.

    The first song, "Good Day", supported this theory that the group was not up to par like they were on 2015's "Blurryface" and 2018's "Trench", which are my favorite albums by them. However, the fourth track, "The Outside" got me back in. The chorus section is pretty catchy and it was fun and bouncy.

    However, that to me, is the only true highlight. The swinging "Mulberry Street" is great fun, but I'm not sure that I'll be going back to it anytime soon. The following tracks, "Formidable" and "Bounce Man" really didn't help me gain any more positive comments for the album. The latter in particular sounds like something modern Weezer would try to pull off.

    The final two cuts, "No Chances" and "Redecorate" are much different than the rest of the record. "No Chances" takes me back to the "Blurryface" days. Tyler Joseph is rapping again and not just singing by-the-numbers melodies. "Redecorate" ends the album on a faint and minimalist beat and it fades into the abyss.

    "Scaled and Icy" is a decent record with a few brief shining moments, but it makes me want to listen to the group's older material more than anything.    … Expand
  28. ILikeToBreathe
    Sep 11, 2021
    6
    Ass.

    The album is ass. The album is ass. The album is ass. The album is ass.
  29. Davi20052003
    May 21, 2021
    10
    É impressionante como esses caras são bons!!!! Conseguiram mudar de um ritmo pesado e forte (trench) pra um ritmo leve e "feliz" em Scaled and icy sem perder a essência da banda. Confesso que achava que ia ser um álbum genérico de pop, mas não!!!! Esse álbum só mostra que tem sim várias formas de se reinventar, e Twenty one pilots fez isso muito bem.
  30. Ori14
    Jul 23, 2021
    6
    the weakest release by TOP so far. a little bit disappointed but still cute. favorite tracks: good day, the outside .
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Rolling Stone
    Jun 2, 2021
    50
    Like a Maroon 5 with some vulnerability beneath the pop sheen. [Jun 2021, p.77]
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. Glide Magazine
    May 24, 2021
    80
    It is hard to predict how faithful Twenty-one pilots fans will react. Regardless, given the time spent by Joseph and Dun on this record, this record is a triumph that marks a maturity that now eclipses their previous albums.
    Read full review
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