Blackout (Turnstile song)
| "Blackout" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Turnstile | ||||
| from the album Glow On | ||||
| Released | July 28, 2021 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:53 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Mike Elizondo | |||
| Turnstile singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Blackout" on YouTube | ||||
"Blackout" (stylized in all uppercase) is a song by American post-hardcore band Turnstile. The song is the third single off of their third album, Glow On and was released on July 28, 2021. The song charted on both the Mainstream Rock and Hot Hard Rock Songs charts.
Composition
[edit]The song has been described as a mixture of melodic hardcore and hardcore punk,[1] with elements of the song reminiscent of bands like Bad Brains[2] and Snapcase[3].
Release and promotion
[edit]Music video
[edit]The music video for "Blackout" came out on July 28, 2021 on YouTube. The animated music video for "Blackout" was self-directed by Turnstile, with animation led by Alexis Jamet and Logan Triplett.[4] The visual aesthetic relies on stark, monochrome imagery, featuring static-animated silhouettes of the band performing in a surreal, glitch-inspired environment. Original art assets were created by Alexis Jamet and Juan Carreras, while creative direction was overseen by Turnstile vocalist Brendan Yates and collaborator Anthony Miralles. Its minimalist yet kinetic style mirrors the song’s frenetic energy, blending hardcore punk rawness with abstract, almost hallucinatory visuals.[5]
Critical reception
[edit]"Blackout" became one of Turnstile’s most acclaimed songs, praised for its genre-blurring energy and helping solidify Glow On as a breakthrough album in alternative and hardcore music. The song was the second single, after "Mystery" to chart and the track gained significant traction through streaming and live performances, becoming a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s setlists.
The song was widely celebrated by critics, with Pitchfork naming it "a hardcore anthem with an undeniable groove"[6] and ranking it among the best tracks of 2021. Kerrang! called it "outrageously fun,"[7] while Rolling Stone highlighted its "infectious rhythm and anthemic chorus" as key to Glow On’s crossover appeal.[8]
Chart performance
[edit]"Blackout" became Turnstile's second ever song to chart, reaching number 22 in the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs and number 35 in the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.[9] Furthermore the song became a streaming hit, accumulating millions of plays on both Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.[10][11]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[12] | 22 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[13] | 35 |
References
[edit]- ^ Dedman, Remfry (August 24, 2021). "Turnstile's Glow On: melodic hardcore punk expansionists' most eclectic statement yet". Metal Hammer. Louder Sound. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Gotrich, Lars (January 5, 2022). "Turnstile: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Bellino, Emily (August 30, 2021). "Listen: Turnstile Release New Album "Glow On"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ Thomas, Mike (July 28, 2021). "Turnstile shares new song and video for "Blackout". Punk Rock Theory. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Fontaine, James (July 28, 2021). "Turnstile drop "BLACKOUT" and visual ahead of forthcoming LP—listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Cohen, Ian (August 27, 2021). "Turnstile: Glow On Album Review". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Fontaine, Jimmy (July 28, 2021). "Listen to Turnstile's outrageously fun new single Blackout". Kerrang!. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Bouza, Kat (May 24, 2022). "Watch Turnstile Blaze Through 'Blackout' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Turnstile | Songs | Chart Performance". musicvf.com.
- ^ "Turnstile | Streaming Statistics". musicmetricsvault.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ Tedder, Michael (March 8, 2023). "Open Up the Pit: The State of Hardcore in a Post-Turnstile World". The Ringer. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Turnstile Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Turnstile Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.