The Used is back with a new EP – MEDZ – on the heels of last year’s release of Toxic Positivity the b-side album consists of 10 tracks in total, seven new singles, and three previously-released. Despite being a b-side release, MEDZ feels like more than just an amalgamation of songs that did not make the cut for last year’s release. The songs don’t necessarily all flow like a full-length album, but there is still enough continuity and heart on the EP to make it feel like something more — and it feels like a real return to the band’s sounds of their earliest albums.
For more than 20 years The Used has held a special place in my heart – hearing the new releases has triggered some nostalgia along with appreciation for how much the band has grown but also stayed true to itself. The new tracks came from 2022 and 2023’s sessions for Toxic Positivity with longtime producer John Feldmann. The previously released singles include the titular “MEDZ,” along with “People Are Vomit,” and “Fuck You.”
The Used has never shied away from putting their emotions front and center – and while music and lyrics will always evolve as a band matures the heart and soul of the band has remained constant.
Vocalist robbietheused (Bert McKracken) shared a quote from C.S. Lewis to give context and meaning to the new release.
“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.”
Jumping into the album I was not exactly sure what to expect, I’d heard “Fuck You,” and “People are Vomit,” which were not on Toxic Positivity and sort of lived online without a real place to call home.
“Fuck You,” was my favorite release from The Used in several years – it is nostalgic in the best way despite being so new. It’s about the angst and anger over promises not kept, something most people can probably relate to.
I dare someone listening to not scream out the chorus as soon as the verses come to an end and you hear McCracken’s hushed vocals get louder and louder as the chorus comes to a peak with:
“You made a promise, said that you’d never change/You broke that promise and all I can say is/
Fuck you/For making me feel like I do.”
The rest of the EP continues to draw heavily on emotions and touches topics like heartbreak, anger, mental illness, and sadness – not exactly a shock for anyone who has heard anything from the band before. The EP consists of solid tracks that feel like they could have been from the band’s first two albums – but the eponymous ‘MEDZ’ is one that felt a little out of place for me. It’s not bad, it’s just not what I would expect from The Used.
The song has a bit of a pop-vibe to it and is admittedly catchy – I think one verse is what is throwing me off and keeping me on the fence.
“When we were kids, we used to get gold stars/
“A” for effort just for trying real hard/
Now nothing I do seems to measure up/
How does anyone know when it’s time to give up?”
I think a lot of people will still relate to the song, but to me it feels a little 2000 pop-punk lyrically, which is fine – but it feels out of place amongst the other tracks on the album. Bert’s vocals are perfect as usual, the band sounds tight and the riffs, beats, and basslines make for a great song – but there’s just something about the lyrics that doesn’t feel quite as poetic as I know the band can be.
In contrast, one of the previously-unreleased tracks ‘Before I Leave,’ feels like it could easily have been written in 2000 and on the band’s debut self-titled album. It’s slower and more melodic but that’s what a lot of The Used sounded like then – and it’s possibly my favorite off the EP.
Another unexpected song I found myself playing on repeat follows “Before I Leave,” chronologically, called “Take Yourself Out,” brings something I am not sure I’ve heard on many albums in general – a xylophone.
The song starts off with a fast-paced beat accompanied by what sounds like a Flamenco guitar and Bert’s signature vocals – but after the first chorus when the xylophone comes in and things get wonderfully weird.
As soon as I heard it I immediately thought of the movie The Little Mermaid – and I mean that in the best way possible – “Under the Sea” is an absolute banger.
It’s a fun departure from the seriousness of the rest of the tracks and although lyrically it is fairly simple, the words remind you of the duality of man and that not everything in life has to be painful. It’s a love song of sorts, at least, compared to “Fuck You” it’s a love song – and it’s great.
Overall the new release is growing on me as I continue to listen and really analyze the lyrics and layered sounds. It’s a great EP that I feel could have traded some tracks with Toxic Positivity and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it — so much so that I played it through twice on a long drive (my wife is a good sport and also happens to be a 2000’s emo kid all grown up now).
I’ll end with this, I know it’s not fair to compare a band’s new album to their music from 20 years ago – but I think it’s safe to say that there has been a significant return to those sounds and vibes that made the band resonate with so many people way back in 2001.
The Used is touring right now and I can personally say catching them live was one of the highlights of my concert-going experiences so if you have seen them before, chances are you’re already planning to go again – but if you haven’t I highly suggest checking them out. The new album is currently available for streaming online.
I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michael Praats
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