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. dayeinthesun
    Jul 10, 2023
    9
    This album was a very fun listen. Although, I didn't understand the lore on my first listen, I think the lore later adds to my enjoyment. I think this is one of the stronger albums put out in the pandemic, the writing was illustrious and the production kept me on my toes. I'm thoroughly impressed that Tyler wrote the majority of the songs on this project on his own. Especially consideringThis album was a very fun listen. Although, I didn't understand the lore on my first listen, I think the lore later adds to my enjoyment. I think this is one of the stronger albums put out in the pandemic, the writing was illustrious and the production kept me on my toes. I'm thoroughly impressed that Tyler wrote the majority of the songs on this project on his own. Especially considering the wordplay that he incorporates. I do feel that there were heavy 70's influences in the songs, which is very different from their well-known album, Blurryface. So, while I enjoyed this project, it did take some getting used to.… Expand
  2. timetraveler136
    Feb 23, 2023
    9
    This is one of my favorite top albums. I wasn't a fan of Trench so I was pleasantly surprised that this album is as good as it is. Still no Blurryface but comes pretty close.

    My favorites: Redecorate, Formidable and The Outside.
  3. MrSirPerson
    Feb 3, 2023
    8
    Where to even begin with twenty one pilots? Their catalogue of music is so well crafted, comprehensive, and each album has a unique feel to it. Trench and Blurryface tell their own stories, usually a mirror of whatever Tyler Joseph struggles with.
    Scaled and Icy doesn’t do that.
    It doesn’t have the depth of those earlier projects. It wasn’t designed to be an all encompassing experience    Where to even begin with twenty one pilots? Their catalogue of music is so well crafted, comprehensive, and each album has a unique feel to it. Trench and Blurryface tell their own stories, usually a mirror of whatever Tyler Joseph struggles with.
    Scaled and Icy doesn’t do that.
    It doesn’t have the depth of those earlier projects.
    It wasn’t designed to be an all encompassing experience where you benefit from listening start to finish.
    What does Scaled and Icy have?
    Fun. An infectious sense of fun.
    Tyler has said in interviews that he pushed against the natural inclination to go darker, because he didn’t want to contribute to the stress of the world’s current state. In my opinion, that was the right call. The moment I heard “Good Day” start up, I wanted to get up and bounce down a street. Scaled and Icy feels like some reassuring words from a friend. Every song has personality bursting from the seams. I’ve heard some songs described as “bland” or “soulless,” but this genuinely baffles me. On the contrary, every song (except Formidable) has an instantly recognizable flair. Formidable is the unfortunate exception, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad song. It really isn’t, but it’s traditional to a fault. I’ve also heard criticism towards the lyrical content, especially with Saturday. I have to wonder if we were listening to the same song. Saturday is about how if you don’t make conscious efforts to differentiate each day, they start to blend together and you lose your sense of time. That’s incredibly relatable, especially after lockdown, where I experienced this exact sensation.
    Each track is very replayable, something I can’t say about every TøP song. Vessel may be a wonderful album that tackles a lot of real problems like suicide, but for that same reason I’m not itching to listen to something like “Guns for Hands” again. It feels wrong to jam to that. Scaled and Icy doesn’t have that problem, even with a deeper song like “Redecorate.”
    Scaled and Icy feels like the perfect palate cleanser. It’s sense of fun is unparalleled; combine that with unique instrumental identity makes this a great album to listen to anytime, all the time.    … Expand
  4. Kitsuda
    Sep 24, 2022
    10
    I truly enjoyed that 80's style music is gives off, I listen to it almost everyday. The music style is truly a unique one, almost 80's like yet not and has a "pop" to it at the same time.
  5. Crypticghost
    Apr 11, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A really good album I find it very underrated from the fans obviously not as good as trench or blurryface but the first single shy away Ticks every box a great retro song that gives you the chills Saturday and choker being the next singles are great no changes is a great flashback to fairly local similar sound with great falsettos redecorate is so underrated a brilliant final song to the album… Expand
  6. Ignatioss
    May 22, 2021
    0
    Easily their worst and most disappointing album. Despite an amazing trench album in 2018. This more pop oriented album doesn’t have the right TOP energy and has only a couple of good songs such as shy away. Some songs are just atrocious such as choker and Saturday. Overall super sad to see such a downgrade from trench.
  7. Jolien
    Aug 20, 2022
    10
    My favourite album of them! Singalong songs, brilliant following up of the song on the album. No need to shuffle nor skip!
  8. zophfia
    Jul 31, 2022
    10
    My first reaction listening to this album was “wtf am I listening to?” “Is that really a tøp album?”. I took me a time to get used to it, cause it wasn’t something I was expecting from Tyler and Josh. I believe everybody has specific songs that make you feel absolutely delighted. I have a few songs that makes me feel like that, and some of them are from this album. Redecorate is one of myMy first reaction listening to this album was “wtf am I listening to?” “Is that really a tøp album?”. I took me a time to get used to it, cause it wasn’t something I was expecting from Tyler and Josh. I believe everybody has specific songs that make you feel absolutely delighted. I have a few songs that makes me feel like that, and some of them are from this album. Redecorate is one of my favorites songs of all times. I feel like I’m transcending every time I listen to that chorus. Such a happy album, it gives you a feeling I can’t properly explain. Twenty One Pilots don’t stay in a comfort zone, they are innovation, and this album proves that. Can’t wait to see what else they have for us (especially after The Outside music video)… Expand
  9. thegamingfoo
    Jul 10, 2022
    6
    The album is good but compared to the others it is bad. it just feels more like a first album compared to their real first album.
  10. WestoReviews
    Jun 19, 2022
    3
    I've been a fan of TOP for a while and my favorite record is Trench, I was very excited for the release of Scaled And Icy. But i was very disappointed on my first listen, it was a very boring album in my eyes and I enjoyed no songs on it, after about 3 months I really wanted to try the album again to see if I was just not hearing things right. I came back and I liked the songs, No Chances,I've been a fan of TOP for a while and my favorite record is Trench, I was very excited for the release of Scaled And Icy. But i was very disappointed on my first listen, it was a very boring album in my eyes and I enjoyed no songs on it, after about 3 months I really wanted to try the album again to see if I was just not hearing things right. I came back and I liked the songs, No Chances, and Good Day, but that was it. Overall sounds like the epitome of millennial-pop… Expand
  11. frostydog23
    May 8, 2022
    8
    Although not as great as their other albums, Scaled and Icy is worth a listen. The hidden lore is a great touch
  12. Nickkk2003
    Apr 21, 2022
    7
    The singles are the best on the album, especially Shy Away. And so the album is weaker than the previous ones. I hope they bring back the old sound with the next album.
  13. KrillerBomb
    Mar 27, 2022
    10
    For sure their most feel-good album and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially in these trying times. Favorite's are "Shy Away", "Redecorate" and "Never Take It."
  14. garfield7081
    Mar 26, 2022
    7
    took its time to grow on me, but still a disappointing addition to twenty one pilot's discography. top's previous albums had variety and took risks that could harm their mainstream reputation, making two of rock's finest albums in recent memory. however, this album takes close to no risks at all, (almost) every song sounds like safe radio "pool-party-esque" music. as i said previously,took its time to grow on me, but still a disappointing addition to twenty one pilot's discography. top's previous albums had variety and took risks that could harm their mainstream reputation, making two of rock's finest albums in recent memory. however, this album takes close to no risks at all, (almost) every song sounds like safe radio "pool-party-esque" music. as i said previously, this album did grow on me, but i wouldn't feel comfortable giving it anything higher than a 7 at the very most.

    best song: mulberry street

    worst song: no chances    … Expand
  15. Ka1dowskiX
    Feb 7, 2022
    7
    The album is a shift in TOP style which may seem a downgrade when skipping the entire lore part. The songs simply feel nice, but lack the "soul" of Twenty One Pilots. Some of the songs, like No Chances and Redecorate are top-tier and convey the essence of the band. When adding the lore, the album gains a lot, but it has to be emphasised that a small part of TOP listeners will actuallyThe album is a shift in TOP style which may seem a downgrade when skipping the entire lore part. The songs simply feel nice, but lack the "soul" of Twenty One Pilots. Some of the songs, like No Chances and Redecorate are top-tier and convey the essence of the band. When adding the lore, the album gains a lot, but it has to be emphasised that a small part of TOP listeners will actually explore the songs' deeper meaning.… Expand
  16. sodovich
    Dec 25, 2021
    9
    A beautiful and expressive experience, as personal as ever, makes me wanna cry in masterpieces like Redecorate. Simply amazing.
  17. Guitrox
    May 22, 2021
    10
    A great way to get back on track, bringing a smooth, happy, relaxed and experimental album
  18. PrizzBeam1
    Nov 17, 2021
    5
    I finally wrote this after six months because I had to come to terms. Scaled And Icy is not a good album. It's arguable that this is a complete sellout by a band that saved and changed my life at age 14, and the best live concert I've ever been to. I admit my bias here. I loved Trench- its their best album and its immaculate, full of feeling and emotion. Even though I may not love theirI finally wrote this after six months because I had to come to terms. Scaled And Icy is not a good album. It's arguable that this is a complete sellout by a band that saved and changed my life at age 14, and the best live concert I've ever been to. I admit my bias here. I loved Trench- its their best album and its immaculate, full of feeling and emotion. Even though I may not love their earlier albums as much as I used to, Trench is still a 10/10 for me. Scaled And Icy, outside of a few tracks, sounds uninspired, poorly produced, and for the first time for Twenty One Pilots, lacking direction. Where do I begin? The Elton John ripoff Mulberry Street? The try hard gangster No Chances? The horrific camp singalong Bounce Man? The cheap and chintzy sounding The Outside? The vapid lyrics of Saturday? Sigh...

    But then how is this a 5/10 rather than something even lower? Well, there are some great songs on here. Shy Away is great, sounds like what The Killers tried to pull off on their album Wonderful Wonderful but it's even more fleshed out here. Choker has a hell of a chorus, and Paul Meany, part of what made Trench so amazing, comes back on Redecorate and pulls off one of Twenty One Pilots' darkest and most brooding songs to date. Never Take It may come off as generic radio rock, but I enjoy it. Formidable is sweet, even if the lyrics leave some stuff to be desired.
    Favorite track- Shy Away
    Worst track- Bounce Man    … Expand
  19. Fezco
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Este fue un álbum muy diferente, aún asi, no le quita sus vibras anteriores, sin duda, es un álbum muy bueno, y espero a que ganen algún premio por este álbum, muy bueno.
  20. vesselloc
    Oct 22, 2021
    10
    incrível, superam as minhas expectativas com essa inovação deles, parabéns twenty one pilots
  21. TOOLfan
    Oct 15, 2021
    3
    Bad music!
    Bad text!
    Bad vocals!
    Uncomparable to previous albums.
    I really hate it!
  22. SelectInsect44
    Oct 5, 2021
    10
    Despite it's propaganda (which I believe it must mean something in Tyler's emotions), I absolutely love this album. Bounce Man is so happy and gave a smile to my face, but No Chances and Redecorate both got me in the brink to tears, they're super emotional. Choker is full of synths, but Mulberry Street is an acoustic, piano-driven songs. No Chances and Redecorate are definitely myDespite it's propaganda (which I believe it must mean something in Tyler's emotions), I absolutely love this album. Bounce Man is so happy and gave a smile to my face, but No Chances and Redecorate both got me in the brink to tears, they're super emotional. Choker is full of synths, but Mulberry Street is an acoustic, piano-driven songs. No Chances and Redecorate are definitely my favorites, since my favorite album is Blurryface and these songs have big Blurryface vibes. Overall, a great album, I said it before… Expand
  23. ILikeToBreathe
    Sep 11, 2021
    6
    Ass.

    The album is ass. The album is ass. The album is ass. The album is ass.
  24. MetacriticOnur
    Aug 19, 2021
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  25. OdeToMusic
    Aug 13, 2021
    9
    Obviously it's not Trench, but it's a masterpiece in terms of musicality. They managed to sound like Elton and Gorillaz in the same album. I loved it.
    Fav track: No chances
    Least fav track: Bounce man
  26. petejo88
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    I want to point out how juvenile and unprofessional No Ripcord's review is. being an utter ass in music is not gonna grant you any attention
  27. kennice
    Aug 1, 2021
    10
    A little different from the rest of the albums but I thoroughly enjoy listening to it. great work. yet another masterpiece
  28. 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 .
  29. Edgar_XD
    Jul 22, 2021
    8
    Ok, hay que dejar en claro que esto es un producto intermedio
    Y creo que en eso cumple su funcion, no es ni en broma lo mejor que han echo pero se nota calidad de composicion al rededor del album en canciones como No Chances, Bounce Man, Formidable y The Outside
    Espero con ansias el siguiente album que sera mucho mas solido y elaborado, mientras ranto Scaled And Icy deja un buen sabor de    Ok, hay que dejar en claro que esto es un producto intermedio
    Y creo que en eso cumple su funcion, no es ni en broma lo mejor que han echo pero se nota calidad de composicion al rededor del album en canciones como No Chances, Bounce Man, Formidable y The Outside
    Espero con ansias el siguiente album que sera mucho mas solido y elaborado, mientras ranto Scaled And Icy deja un buen sabor de boca como un album de paso    … Expand
  30. caszztro
    Jul 6, 2021
    9
    As a clikkie, I am definitely not disappointed. It is not their best album, but this has some of their best songs ever. Amazing album
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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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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