Is Heartwork a good place to start with The Used?

Yes, Heartwork is recommended as a starting point for new The Used listeners. A visceral blend of post-hardcore energy and introspective lyrics wrapped in a polished alternative rock sound. Released in 2020, Heartwork is The Used's seventh studio album, following the commercially successful The Canyon from 2017. At this point in their career, the band was looking to reinvigorate their sound while embracing themes of personal struggle and resilience, marking an evolution from their earlier work.

Who is Heartwork for?

Heartwork works well if you're into steady pacing for reflection, emotional rawness and grit and introspective lyrics for deep thoughts.

How many songs are on Heartwork?

Heartwork has 16 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Heartwork

The Used · 2020

46 min · 16 tracks · alternative rock

A visceral blend of post-hardcore energy and introspective lyrics wrapped in a polished alternative rock sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Blow Me Start here — This track encapsulates the album's emotional rawness, combining aggressive instrumentation with vulnerable lyrics about personal betrayal and frustration.
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Gravity’s Rainbow — With its dynamic shifts between melodic verses and explosive choruses, this song reflects the band's signature style while delving into themes of existential anxiety.
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To Feel Something — The closing track serves as a poignant reflection on longing and connection, tying together the album's overarching narrative of emotional turmoil and self-discovery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends post-hardcore energy with polished production, offering depth in both lyrics and sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets a thematic tone, followed by tracks that alternate between aggressive instrumentals and melodic choruses.
Several songs feature abrupt tempo changes, particularly in the transition from 'Bloody Nose' to 'Wow, I Hate This Song', which shifts from high energy to introspective lyrics.
The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for reflection
emotional rawness and grit
introspective lyrics for deep thoughts
short tracks for quick engagement
cathartic release of frustration

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat party vibes
prefer long, sprawling epics

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in their sound after several albums.
Themes: personal betrayal· emotional turmoil
Career context: Released in 2020, Heartwork is The Used's seventh studio album, following the commercially successful The Canyon from 2017. At this point in their career, the band was looking to reinvigorate their sound while embracing themes of personal struggle and resilience, marking an evolution from their earlier work.
Stylistic neighbors: My Chemical Romance· Taking Back Sunday· Senses Fail

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Wow, I Hate This Song

The lyrics shift from self-deprecation to a pointed critique of societal expectations surrounding relationships.

This transition highlights the tension between personal vulnerability and external pressures, showcasing a deep understanding of emotional complexity.