After months of anticipation and teasing with fans, The Used have officially announced they will release their 8th full-length studio album, ‘Heartwork’, on April 24th via Big Noise/Hassle Records.
In addition to today’s announcement, The Used have released a new single, “Paradise Lost, a poem by John Milton.” The song and accompanying video (Watch here) are larger than life and carry emotions and imagery so unique to The Used throughout while tying in influences from one of frontman Bert McCracken’s favourite authors.
“I’ve always been a bit obsessed with Paradise Lost,” shares McCracken. “I really dug deep into the poem and its author, John Milton. As I was reading a lot of his political essays, I realized that a lot of what ’Satan’ says in Paradise Lost are quotes directly from John Milton’s own mouth. A lot of people thought he was the devil back then. He had a huge problem with the show of opulence from the Church. He thought it was disgusting. His poem is about the failed revolution against the Church of England, which is Satan’s failed revolution on earth. And what’s more incredible or exciting than a failed revolution?”
Fans can pre-order/pre-save the new album and stream the new single today at
https:// theused.ffm.to/heartwork.
Tracklisting for ‘Heartwork’
1. Paradise Lost, a poem by John Milton
2. Blow Me (feat. Jason Aalon Butler)
3. BIG, WANNA BE
4. Bloody Nose
5. Wow, I Hate This Song
6. My Cocoon
7. Cathedral Bell
8. 1984 (Infinite Jest)
9. Gravity’s Rainbow
10. Clean Cut Heals
11. Heartwork
12. The Lighthouse (feat. Mark Hoppus)
13. Obvious Blasé (feat. Travis Barker)
14. The Lottery (feat. Caleb Shomo)
15. Darkness Bleeds, FOTF
16. To Feel Something
On ‘Heartwork’, McCracken shares, “The new album plays on the emotions, the sincerity, and the vulnerability of the first record and In Love and Death, with a little bit of the flair from Lies for the Liars. Standing in the streaming circle pit with Kesha and Halsey, the album is just as modern sounding. John Feldmann’s production is THAT professional. It sounds really good! Those are two really random examples, but I think if you listen to both of those records, the songs are all over the place: dance, pop, actual punk rock riffs and drums. I think music is so all over the place right now that The Used fits in perfectly.”
‘Heartwork’ also marks the return of John Feldmann to The Used family as he produced the album and is also the head of A&R at Big Noise.
“I couldn’t be more honoured or grateful to have one of my favourite bands of all time on my record label! They are one of the most influential bands of the last 20 years and we have made a career-defining album”, shares Feldmann. “They are one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen and Bert is quite possibly the best singer I’ve ever worked with. This has been a dream of mine since I met them in 2001.”
Feldmann signed The Used to Reprise Records in January 2002, one short year after the band formed in Orem, Utah. He also produced some of the band’s most monumental albums including their self-titled debut, Maybe Memories, In Love and Death, Lies for the Liars, Vulnerable and Imaginary Enemy.
The band are currently on the road for a completely sold out intimate tour with support from Dragged Under. These up close and personal shows are unlike any other Used show you have seen. The band have spent the last couple of weeks performing previously released single “Blow Me (Feat. Jason Aalon Butler)” live. It’s frenetic and explosive while showcasing the undeniable vocals of frontman Bert McCracken and has absolutely taken these small rooms by storm.
The band return to the UK and Europe this spring for a short run of shows. A full list of upcoming tour dates can be found below with more information available at www.TheUsed.net.
February
7th Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage – SOLD OUT
9th Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club – SOLD OUT
11th New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre – SOLD OUT
12th Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts – SOLD OUT
14th Atlanta, GA – Terminal West – SOLD OUT
15th Orlando, FL – The Beacham – SOLD OUT
18th Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey – SOLD OUT
19th Austin, TX – Mohawk – SOLD OUT
21st Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theatre – SOLD OUT
22nd Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom – SOLD OUT
May
23rd Leeds, UK, Slam Dunk Festival
24th Hatfield, UK, Slam Dunk Festival
26th London, UK, Lafayette
27th Brighton, UK, Concorde 2
30th Paris, France, Slam Dunk Festival
31st Antwerp, Belgium, Zappa
June
2nd Milan, Italy, Circolo Magnolia
3rd Zurich, Switzerland, Dynamo
9th St Petersburg, Russia, Zal
10th Moscow, Russia, Arbat Hall
For remaining tickets head to www.theused.net
Twenty years ago, The Used was brought to life and have since released a collection of albums that shaped the space of the alternative rock scene. High energy live shows, gut wrenching relatable lyrics, and melodies that blended pop sensibility and hard rock was the perfect combination to make an everlasting impression on fans globally.
The Used is Bert McCracken (Vocals), Jeph Howard (Bass), Dan Whitesides (Drums) and Joey Bradford (Guitar).