Twenty One Pilots, an alternative band whose roots lie in Columbus, Ohio, released their fourth album Blurryface on May 17. Despite being set to release on a later date, the album became available early after a complete leak that fans speculate was orchestrated by the band members themselves.

Blurryface consists of fourteen unique tracks composed by Tyler Joseph—who sings, raps, plays ukulele and piano—and Josh Dun, drummer, with the help of multiple producers. The content of each track is similar, voicing Joseph’s insecurities about himself, his music and his future from his childhood to this day.

The title of Blurryface is the personification of Joseph’s fears and anxieties. This character is represented by red and is present in every aspect of the album from the cover to the lyrics to the red armbands Joseph and Dun wear, as well as other minute details.

In an interview on Radio 104.5, Joseph explained the symbolism of the album. “Something that I was working through when the album was being written was having to deal with a lot of insecurities whether that’s, you know, how I feel about how I look or how I feel or what I’m doing, even insecurity in the future and for me, it helped to give this insecurity a name, a face, a seat at the table…and so in a way this Blurryface character is a guy who needs to be conquered every day, every show, someone who is trying to bring me down, but I ultimately have to defeat.”

“Stressed Out,” the second track off the new album, also ties in the theme of his insecurities about his music and the character Blurryface with lyrics such as, “I wish I found some better sounds no one’s ever heard/I wish I had a better voice that sang some better words” and “My name is Blurryface and I care what you think.”

Although the majority of the tracks, including “Doubt” and “The Judge,” embody the same theme of self-disdain, a handful of them, such as “Heavydirtysoul” and “Not Today,” feature upbeat background music despite their somber subject matter.

“Tear In My Heart,” however, strays from this topic despite including aspects attributed to Blurryface in the music video, such as black paint on Joseph’s hands and neck and the actual blurring of people’s faces. The track is upbeat and the lyrics allude to Joseph’s wife, Jenna, and her positive impact on his life, which is further supported by her cameo in the music video.

The last song, “Goner,” is one of Joseph’s favorite tracks off the album. He originally wrote it in 2012, but he didn’t know what do with it until writing began for Blurryface. In the same interview with radio 105.4, he said, “Last record I couldn’t figure out how to finish [Goner]. It’s the oldest song on the record, but it was the one that I finished last on Blurryface so it kind of represents the beginning and the end…It’s exactly how I wanted to finish this record, Blurryface. It represents the victory, ultimately.”

Overall, the concept of Blurryface was successfully communicated as the album appeals to both the ear and the mind. Each track differs from the last, experimenting with synthesizers and sounds, while still conveying the same message. Joseph and Dun can rightfully declare this album a victory.