Mindfull

Background:

Twenty One Pilot’s Trench album continues the story that begun with Blurryface. The album Blurryface is named after the alter ego of the band’s singer, Tyler Joseph. He explains his alter ego as being a representation of his fears and insecurities, which at times overtake him. This idea was portrayed by the black paint on his neck and hands, which he wore on stage, and in music videos during their Blurryface era. In the new album Trench, the band begins a new story line in which he escapes from his Blurryface persona, who has now been established as a bishop in a new dystopian world Joseph creates. In this world, there is an evil organization named DEMA. DEMA is ruled by nine bishops that wear red - as Blurryface did. Joseph is able to escape DEMA with the help of Josh Dun, the drummer, and the Banditos - who wear yellow tape that the bishops cannot see. Despite escaping, Joseph describes the pull he feels to return to the dark and admits he needs help to remain free in the song “Bandito.”

 

The lines that are repeated constantly in the song are:

“I could take the high road

But I know that I'm going low

I'm a ban, I'm a bandito.”

 

In these lyrics, Joseph is describing how he could “take the high road,” which would risk him being seen. However, he follows it by saying he’s “going low, I’m a ban, I’m a bandito.” He understands he needs to hide now and keep out of the open because he is a bandito. He no longer belongs to the evil that DEMA represents and must remind himself constantly that he is a part of something good and greater. He is no longer alone.

 

The next verse says;

“This is the sound we make

When in between two places

Where we used to bleed

And where our blood needs to be”

 

He further establishes the idea that he has not completely chosen one place or another in the second line and cannot choose on his own. He needs to move on from who he was and needs help to reach the place he “needs to be”; a safer and healthier place.

 

The next verse says:

“In city, I feel my spirit is contained

Like neon inside the glass, they form my brain

But I recently discovered

It's a heatless fire

Like nicknames they give themselves to uninspired

Begin with bullet, now add fire to the proof

But I'm still not sure if fear's a rival or close relative to truth

Either way it helps to hear these words bounce off of you

The softest echo could be enough for me to make it through”

 

The first five lines describe Joseph’s experience in DEMA. He was told what to think and was not allowed to think for himself. His thoughts were “contained”, restricting him from individual thought or creativity. It is a form of control, from which he could not escape. This may represent his fears and insecurities. The negative thoughts in his mind could have been inhibiting him from living life, constantly telling him that he was not good enough.

 

However, he finds a way to remove those thoughts with the words “Sahlo Folina.” These words “echo” allowing him to “make it through.” In this world, this phrase is the call that lets the Banditos know someone is in need and they must go help.

 

Towards the end of the song, Joseph breaks the fourth wall, in a sense, by explaining why he created this world:

 

“I created this world

To feel some control

Destroy it if I want

So I sing

Sahlo Folina,

Sahlo Folina”

 

When dealing with mental illness, or simple fears and insecurities, it is difficult to feel like you have control of anything, especially your own thoughts and emotions.  Joseph is describing how he chose a creative outlet to control those thoughts. He can “destroy it” if he wants because it’s his creation, it’s his world. Destroying it may be symbolic of him ridding himself of his fears or overcoming his fears. However, he ends the song calling for the Banditos help; which is also what Twenty One Pilots call their fans. He may be asking his fans to help him - help themselves - and help each other; because everyone needs help when dealing with their issues and we should all be there for one another.