Next Semester

"Next Semester"
Lyric booklet page
Single by Twenty One Pilots
from the album Clancy
ReleasedMarch 27, 2024 (2024-03-27)
Recorded2023
Genre
Length3:54
LabelFueled by Ramen
Songwriter(s)Tyler Joseph
Producer(s)
Twenty One Pilots singles chronology
"Overcompensate"
(2024) 		"Next Semester"
(2024) 		"Backslide"
(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 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][2]

Composition

"Next Semester" has been described as pop rock,[3] pop-punk,[4] post-punk,[5] and garage rock.[1] 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][7] According to Joseph, the song is "about a panic attack [he had] in college."[8] 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.[9][10] The track, along with the music video, became available on March 27, 2024.[6][11]

Music video

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

On March 17, 2024, the music video was filmed at The Smell in downtown Los Angeles.[8] The music video for "Next Semester" was directed by Andrew Donoho with editing by Mark C. Eshleman and Tyler Joseph.[12] As of September 25, 2024, it has garnered over 9.6 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.[7]

Usage in media

"Next Semester" is featured in the video game Fortnite as a Jam Track.[15]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Twenty One Pilots' official YouTube channel.[16]

Twenty One Pilots

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Next Semester"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[17] 33
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[18] 23
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[19] 22

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. ^ Krik, Alexander (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots' biggest tour yet will launch in Denver". KUSA. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Whitton, Evan. "Single Review: twenty one pilots – 'Clancy'". Sound Sphere Magazine. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Clancy - Twenty One Pilots". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Doyle, Kiana (May 21, 2024). "Music Review: Twenty One Pilots' concept album 'Clancy' is an energizing end of an era". ABC News. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Blistein, Jon (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Dream of Fresh Starts on New Song 'Next Semester'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (March 27, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots Announce 'Clancy' World Tour, Share New Single 'Next Semester'". People. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  8. ^ a b McKenzie, Glam (March 27, 2024). "twenty one pilots next semester music video". Girl Loves Glam. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  9. ^ Carter, Emily (March 21, 2024). "twenty one pilots are teasing a new single, Next Semester". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  10. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (March 21, 2024). "Twenty One Pilots tease "Next Semester"". Rock Sound. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Twenty One Pilots – Next Semester (Official Video). Retrieved March 29, 2024 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "Next Semester" – Behind the Scenes Video. YouTube. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  15. ^ ""Next Semester" Jam Track". Fortnite. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  16. ^ Next Semester Credits. YouTube. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 3342. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  19. ^ "Twenty One Pilots Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2024.