"Next Semester"
Single by Twenty One Pilots
from the album Clancy
ReleasedMarch 27, 2024 (2024-03-27)
Recorded2023
GenreGarage rock[1]
Length3:54
LabelFueled by Ramen
Songwriter(s)Tyler Joseph
Producer(s)
Twenty One Pilots singles chronology
"Overcompensate"
(2024) 		"Next Semester"
(2024)
Music video
"Next Semester" on YouTube

"Next Semester" is a song by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on March 27, 2024, through Fueled by Ramen as the second single of their upcoming seventh studio album, Clancy.[2][3]

The song was accompanied by a music video directed by Andrew Donoho. On the same day, the band announced the "Clancy World Tour".[1][4]

Background and release

Following days of speculation, "Next Semester" was officially announced on March 23, with the band stating it would be released "next week", along with a teaser of the music video where Joseph and drummer Josh Dun are performing at a small venue.[5][6][7]

The track was leaked online one day before its official release, prompting Mark Eshleman of Reel Bear Media to clarify that the social media account leaking the track wasn't affiliated with the band.[8] The track, along with the music video, became available the following day on Wednesday, March 27.[2]

Composition

The lyrics of the song speak about the feeling of anxiety and an inescapable memory of standing in the road, in front of a moving vehicle and escaping from being run over.[2][9] According to Joseph, the song "was about a panic attack in college".[10] The title alludes to the idea of starting afresh next semester.

Music video

The music video for "Next Semester" was filmed at The Smell.

The video was directed by Andrew Donoho, with some editing by Mark C. Eshleman and Tyler Joseph.[11] The video includes extras that were recruited on social media, and was shot on Sunday, March 17 in a small-sized, mostly punk and noise venue called The Smell in Downtown Los Angeles. During the shooting, Joseph told fans that the video came to him in a dream.[10]

The video documents the band performing the song live in front of a crowd. The rest of the video consistently switches between shots of the concert and Joseph standing in the middle of a dimly lit road at night, presumably seen from the point-of-view of an oncoming vehicle.[9] As of April 8, 2024, it has garnered over 3.6 million views on YouTube.[12]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Twenty One Pilots' official YouTube channel.[13]

Twenty One Pilots

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Next Semester"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] 23

References

  1. ^ a b Wilson-Taylor, James (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Release New Single 'Next Semester'". Rock Sound. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Blistein, Jon (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Dream of Fresh Starts on New Song 'Next Semester'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Chan, Anna (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Are Going on a Massive World Tour & Dropped a New Song to Celebrate". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Krik, Alexander (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots' biggest tour yet will launch in Denver". KUSA.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Next Semester, next week |-/. Retrieved March 29, 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "twenty one pilots are teasing a new single, Next Semester". Kerrang!. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (March 21, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots tease "Next Semester"". Rock Sound. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  8. ^ Mark C. Eshleman [@ReelBearMedia] (March 26, 2024). "can't stress enough we have confirmed all of the social accounts you can expect information from. when things end up or sound real that's just because we have to send assets to thousands of people to make things happen. some of them will get that stuff and take advantage of you" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Announce 'Clancy' World Tour, Share New Single 'Next Semester'". People. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  10. ^ a b McKenzie, Glam (March 27, 2024). "twenty one pilots next semester music video". www.girllovesglam.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Mark C. Eshleman [@ReelBearMedia] (March 27, 2024). "Directed by Andrew Donoho. Edited by me and Tyler. Sent to VFX and color yesterday. Uploaded this morning at 4am. I'd do anything for this song, man. What a hit" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Twenty One Pilots – Next Semester (Official Video). Retrieved March 29, 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Next Semester Credits. YouTube. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  14. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
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