The rock icon band, The Used, have announced the releasal of a brand new album, MEDZ, that is set for June 21 via Big Noise. In addition to the album announcement, a new single by the same name will also be released in accompaniment. MEDZ is a collection of ten tracks that were written during their Toxic Positivity writing sessions in 2022 and 2023. It’ll also include two previously released singles: “People Are Vomit” and “Fuck You.”
Pre-save MEDZ here.
Stream “MEDZ” here.
The vocalist, Bert McCracken, shared a quote from C.S.Lewis to give a deeper meaning to the collection of B-Sides:
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden. It is easier to say ‘my tooth is aching’ than to say ‘my heart is broken.’”
Last year, The Used released their most recent album, Toxic Positivity. Frontman Bert McCracken has described it as a “day in the life journey of a depressed and anxiety ridden person.” The tell-all record shares both the highs and lows of depression and addiction through a powerful body of work that attests to the headspace he was in during the writing process. According to Bert, “this record is quite tough to listen to because it’s a reflection of times in his life that have been some of his lowest ever.” Fans are able to stream Toxic Positivity here.
Toxic Positivity speaks of the strength of the band’s collective collaboration and also their innate, unquenchable thirst to create. “I think we have no choice but to write and write and write. It has always just been in us and we’ve had to get it out. I read a quote once that said you either work your entire lifetime on four great pieces or you write thousands of pieces and become great that way. Everything that we feel, I think it always makes for a good song.” In that regard, Bert is humble to a fault for the simple fact that the songs within Toxic Positivity are far more than merely good songs. They mark the latest chapter in a truly great career. And like those that have come before them, they will truly matter.
MEDZ Tracklist:
- MEDZ
- Fuck You
- People Are Vomit
- Sisyphus
- Depression Personified
- Terrified
- Before I Leave
- Take Yourself Out
- Tell Me
- Pain Is My Therapy
The Used are also in preparation mode for another headlining tour throughout North America in the summer. They’ll be accompanied with Story of the Year and Amira Elfeky.
The Used Summer Tour Dates:
June 20: Gary IN @ Hard Rock Casino – Northern Indiana
June 21: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
June 23: Franklin, WI @ Phase Fest*
June 25: Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Minneapolis
June 26: Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live – 20 Monroe
June 28: Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live!
June 29: Cleveland, OH @ The Masonic Temple
June 30: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
July 2: Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre
July 3: Portland, ME @ State Theatre Portland
July 5: Montreal, QC @ MTELUS^
July 6: St. Catharines, ON @ Born and Raised Fest#
July 9: Baltimore, MD @ Power Plant Live
July 10: Hampton, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
July 12: Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony Summer Stage
July 13: Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
* Festival appearance w/ The Used and Story Of The Year
# Festival appearance w/ The Used
^ The Used and Amira Elfeky only
Get tickets here.
