twenty one pilots share cathartic new "Choker" shot in their hometown

After announcing their new album Scaled And Icy to kick start their next era earlier this month, twenty one pilots are back with new track “Choker,” available via Fueled by Ramen.

The duo also released a mystical video for the song that features miniature figurines, magic and robbery. Shot in their hometown of Columbus, OH, the cinematic visual shows Tyler Joseph entering a toy store where Josh Dun is working. 

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Fascinated by a tiny blue dragon toy, Joseph attempts to buy it but is ignored by Dun, who opts to rock out on drums from behind the counter. Later in the video, Joseph decides to steal the dragon toy and run out of the store. Dun chases him and uses a net gun to capture and bring him back to the storefront.

The visual’s aesthetics parallel the overall tone of the new era with a colorful rainbow palette and notes of icy blue. The band also added easter eggs for fans throughout the video. These include a DEMA mug and a window drawing of Ned, the fictional creature that was created by Joseph during the group’s Trench era. Dun’s golden retriever Jim Dun also plays a major role in the plot of the video’s storyline.

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The band first teased “Choker” on social media earlier this week, posting a teaser of the video ahead of its premiere on YouTube.

Joseph also gave fans a taste of the lyrics on Instagram, sharing a still from the video with the caption, “:.: i see no volunteers to co-sign on my fears, :.: i’ll sign on the line alone.”

 

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A post shared by tyler jøseph (@tylerrjoseph)

Fans were first given hints of a new album from the band last year when Joseph told Zane Lowe that they were gearing up to release new music sooner than might be expected. Since COVID-19 halted live shows indefinitely, the various festivals and headlining slots they had planned for the year were canceled. This freed up their time and gave them the opportunity to work more on the album. 

“I’m writing a record right now,” Joseph said during the interview. “I’m not sure when it’ll be released, but it’s definitely going to be sooner than we were planning on releasing a record.”

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Luckily enough, fans didn’t have to wait long to hear new music. Scaled And Icy will be the latest album from twenty one pilots since their 2018 release Trench. With their new free time, Joseph wrote and primarily produced the album from his home studio during quarantine. Dun was able to work on drums from across the country. 

Due to the pandemic, the two had to work together virtually, which forced them to completely overhaul their normal creative process. Joseph frequently shares his home studio setup on his Instagram, giving fans an inside look at how his life and work have been influenced by the pandemic.

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“Choker” follows “Shy Away,” the album’s debut single released earlier this month.

After announcing a May 21 release date for the album, the group also revealed a concert planned for the same day, streamed exclusively through Maestro. This virtual performance may see the duo perform new Scaled And Icy songs for the first time live, while also potentially treating fans to other songs from previous albums.

Sponsored by Chipotle and Hot Topic, the event will include various opportunities for fans. Through the purchase of a ticket, they will be able to unlock a 6-week interactive experience. This will give them access to rare content, limited merch and special upcoming versions of Scaled And Icy.

Tickets for the show are on available here.

You can watch the video for “Choker” below, and let us know your thoughts about the song in the comments!

twenty one pilots Scaled And Icy tracklist “Good Day”

1. “Choker”
2. “Shy Away”
3. “The Outside”
4. “Saturday”
5. “Never Take It”
6. “Mulberry Street”
7. “Formidable”
8. “Bounce Man”
9. “No Chances”
10. Redecorate”

“Choker” lyrics

I don’t bother anyone
Nervous when I stand
Choking on the circumstance
Only smoking secondhand
Cut us open, spread us out
Dry us in the sand
Lay the fibers side-by-side
And you’ll begin to understand

I know it’s over
I was born a choker
Nobody’s coming for me.
…coming for me

I don’t bother anyone
Never make demands
Choking on the circumstance
Self-sabotage is a sweet romance
Seems like all I’m worth is what
I’m able to withstand
Sooner I can realize
That pain is just a middle man.

I know it’s over
I was born a choker
Nobody’s coming for me.

I see no volunteers
to co-sign on my fears
I’ll sign on the line
Alone.

I’m gonna change my circumstance
I know I need to move right now
’cause…

I know it’s over
I was born a choker
Nobody’s coming for me.
(only smoking secondhand)

Like a little splinter
buried in your skin
Someone else can carve it out
But when you’ve got the pin
It hurts a little less
and you can even push it further in
When your body’s screaming out
Trust your mind’s listening.
Like a silhouette that you can barely see
As the shadow casts upon the ground
where you’ll eventually
lay forever, but the day goes on
the sun moves behind you
You get taller, bolder, stronger,
and the rear-view only blinds you