Is Toxic Positivity a good place to start with The Used?

Yes, Toxic Positivity is recommended as a starting point for new The Used listeners. A raw exploration of mental health wrapped in frenetic guitars and punchy rhythms that challenge the façade of positivity. Released on May 19, 2023, 'Toxic Positivity' marks The Used's seventh studio album and arrives after a five-year hiatus following 'The Canyon' in 2017. This album showcases a renewed energy as they dive deeper into themes of vulnerability and authenticity, aligning with the band's legacy of confronting emotional struggles.

Who is Toxic Positivity for?

Toxic Positivity works well if you're into cathartic release through energetic melodies, short bursts of emotional honesty and ideal for quick, intense sessions.

How many songs are on Toxic Positivity?

Toxic Positivity has 11 tracks, running approximately 30 minutes.

Toxic Positivity

The Used · 2023

30 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A raw exploration of mental health wrapped in frenetic guitars and punchy rhythms that challenge the façade of positivity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Worst I’ve Ever Been Start here — Opening the album, this track sets an intense tone with its confessional lyrics about despair and self-critique, establishing the thematic foundation for the rest of the project.
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I Hate Everybody — This song stands out with its catchy chorus and sharp wit as it tackles feelings of isolation and frustration, embodying the album's critique of forced optimism.
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Dancing With a Brick Wall — Combining energetic instrumentals with introspective lyrics, this track captures the struggle between personal battles and the pressure to appear fine, resonating deeply with listeners.
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Giving Up — Closing the album, this track delivers a poignant reflection on surrendering to one's struggles, offering a haunting yet relatable conclusion that lingers long after listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album combines raw energy with introspective lyrics, creating a distinctive sound that addresses contemporary issues.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature aggressive guitar riffs and rapid tempos, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic section.
Several songs employ contrasting dynamics, alternating between quiet verses and explosive choruses to emphasize emotional shifts.
The lyrics frequently address themes of mental health and societal pressures, often using stark imagery and direct language.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

cathartic release through energetic melodies
short bursts of emotional honesty
ideal for quick, intense sessions
front-loaded energy with resolution

Maybe skip if you

prefer long, soundscapes
seek slow, reflective pacing

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Displays renewed energy and strong themes after a five-year hiatus.
Themes: forced optimism· mental health struggles· confessional despair
Career context: Released on May 19, 2023, 'Toxic Positivity' marks The Used's seventh studio album and arrives after a five-year hiatus following 'The Canyon' in 2017. This album showcases a renewed energy as they dive deeper into themes of vulnerability and authenticity, aligning with the band's legacy of confronting emotional struggles.
Stylistic neighbors: My Chemical Romance· Taking Back Sunday· Senses Fail