"The songs on this album are heavy, emotion-filled and honest. The Used excel in creating new anthems that fans will be able to rock out to at their future shows."
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Must Listen
Review by Bruna Cucolo
The band people have followed for nearly 20 years known as the Used come out with their eighth studio album, Heartwork, tomorrow April 24.
This record consists of 16 tracks, all creating a sound throughout that fans will recall from previous works from the band. John Feldmann, who produced some of the Used’s most popular albums returned to produce Heartwork. With his help, the album has a familiar soundscape that will remind listeners of why they fell in love with the Used in the first place.
Heartwork opens with the single “Paradise Lost, a poem by John Milton.” With instruments already in play at the start with a full band joining in seconds later, only a guitar is left once frontman Bert McCracken begins with the lyrics, “To whom it may concern, and all the tragic we’ve been through.”
John Milton is one of McCracken’s favorite authors and by taking the influences and references of Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” the album’s opening track was created. Overall, it sets the tone for the rest that’s yet to come – compelling, deep and worthwhile music.
All in caps, “BIG, WANNA BE” says it all about track three, one that could become a new song of affirmation to many. With a mix of catchy rock-influenced sounds, words of encouragement are sung to guide the listener to become “bigger than life.” Strength and determination are heard in McCracken’s voice throughout the entirety of this one, filling the listener up with self-confidence.
Track seven opens with obscure sounds of instruments and doors creaking as if someone is in search of something. “Cathedral Bell” may have been written before times like today, but with the lyrics, “I can’t move / like I’m stuck in the mud / I’m up to my neck” and “I’ve got moves to make but I can’t move,” the desire to go out is greater now more than ever. The timing of this album is suitable. In a state of confusion, the music becomes mystifying as it comes to an end.
Nowadays, albums appear to come with many collaborations and Heartwork is one of those albums. Jason Aalon Butler (FEVER333), Mark Hoppus (blink-182 and Simple Creatures) Caleb Shomo (Beartooth) and Travis Barker (blink-182) are all featured in the Used’s latest release.
“Obvious Blasé” is track 13 on the record and features Barker. This particular track adds more variety to Heartwork, offering different sonic influences all while Barker’s brilliant drumming shines through.
It all ends with the final track, “To Feel Something.” The want to not feel different from others is called out for and many will identify with this song as soon as they hear it. This one is less heavy when it comes to its sound – it’s very acoustic – but towards the end, it picks up its intensity and the vocals become aggressive with that wanting to feel something, “no different from anyone else.” Hopefully by the time it has finished, the listener feels something new.
The songs on this album are heavy, emotion-filled and honest. The Used excel in creating new anthems that fans will be able to rock out to at their future shows. Heartwork is an album that will leave those who listen with the want to reflect back on the lyrics they heard and join the band on a path of self-awareness with a unique, yet reminiscent sound of their previous work. Take a listen, or more, and let your heart explore itself.
