Next Semester Explained

Next Semester
Type:single
Cover:Twenty One Pilots - Next Semester.png
Caption:Lyric booklet page
Artist:Twenty One Pilots
Album:Clancy
Recorded:2023
Genre:
Length:3:54
Label:Fueled by Ramen
Producer:
Prev Title:Overcompensate
Prev Year:2024
Next Title:Backslide
Next Year:2024

"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 seventh studio album, Clancy, and was produced by Tyler Joseph and Paul Meany.

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

Composition

"Next Semester" has been described as pop rock,[2] pop-punk,[3] post-punk,[4] and garage rock.[5] Theme wise, the song is considered to be a restless blast about wanting to begin again while still contending with what was in the past, containing lyrics that 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.[6] According to Joseph, the song is "about a panic attack [he had] in college."[7] The title alludes to the idea of starting fresh next semester.

Release

Following days of speculation, "Next Semester" was officially announced on March 23, 2024. The band stated the song would be released "next week" and provided a teaser of the music video.[8] [9] The track, along with the music video, became available on March 27, 2024.[10] [11]

Music video

On March 17, 2024, the music video was filmed at The Smell in downtown Los Angeles. The music video for "Next Semester" was directed by Andrew Donoho with editing by Mark C. Eshleman and Tyler Joseph.[12] As of August 2, 2024, it has garnered over 8.7 million views on YouTube.[13] On April 17, 2024, the band released a behind-the-scenes video.[14]

The video features the band performing the song in front of a crowd. 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.[6]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Twenty One Pilots' official YouTube channel.[15]

Twenty One Pilots

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[16] 23

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alexander. Krik. Twenty One Pilots' biggest tour yet will launch in Denver. KUSA. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024.
  2. Evan. Whitton. Single Review: twenty one pilots – 'Clancy'. Sound Sphere Magazine. June 3, 2024.
  3. Web site: Neil Z.. Yeung. Clancy - Twenty One Pilots. AllMusic. May 24, 2024.
  4. Web site: Kiana. Doyle. Music Review: Twenty One Pilots' concept album 'Clancy' is an energizing end of an era. ABC News. May 21, 2024. May 21, 2024.
  5. James. Wilson-Taylor. Twenty One Pilots Release New Single 'Next Semester'. Rock Sound. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024.
  6. Ilana. Kaplan. Twenty One Pilots Announce 'Clancy' World Tour, Share New Single 'Next Semester'. People. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024.
  7. Web site: Glam. McKenzie. twenty one pilots next semester music video. Girl Loves Glam. March 27, 2024. March 29, 2024.
  8. Web site: Emily. Carter. twenty one pilots are teasing a new single, Next Semester. Kerrang!. March 21, 2024. March 29, 2024.
  9. James. Wilson-Taylor. Twenty One Pilots tease "Next Semester". Rock Sound. March 21, 2024. March 31, 2024.
  10. Jon. Blistein. Twenty One Pilots Dream of Fresh Starts on New Song 'Next Semester'. Rolling Stone. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024.
  11. Anna. Chan. Twenty One Pilots Are Going on a Massive World Tour & Dropped a New Song to Celebrate. Billboard. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024.
  12. Mark C. Eshleman . ReelBearMedia . 1772990806904672594 . 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.. March 30, 2024 . no .
  13. Twenty One Pilots – Next Semester (Official Video) . March 29, 2024 . YouTube.
  14. "Next Semester" – Behind the Scenes Video. April 17, 2024. YouTube.
  15. Next Semester Credits. March 6, 2024. YouTube.
  16. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. April 8, 2024. April 5, 2024.