Clearly affected by the United States’ government controversial involvement in the Middle East and its intangible war on terror, ‘Imaginary Enemy’ is first and foremost The Used’s political opus. The record’s anger is deeply cemented in the lyrics, with McCracken belting out overt political tirades – some of them more articulate than others.
On ‘El-Oh-Vee-Ee’, he attacks the government for their minions, protected privilege and pipelines, but reassuringly affirms that “we got love”. ‘Generation Throwaway’ tackles the overarching view that today’s younger folk are politically neutral, with McCracken calling the troops to arms over a simple yet rousing melody – “We’re only moments away, brave enough to brake these barricades, it starts today, we’re not generation throwaway,” he sings.
The political messages are present and clear. Whereas some bands choose to shroud the meaning of their songs, asking the listener to interpret it as they see fit, The Used are wearing their political anguish on their sleeve. Despite adding a level of simplicity to the message (is love really the useful response to protected privilege?), it’s unusual to see a band so candid about their views. Within the same scene only Enter Shikari are close to doing the same, but their message is often hidden by overbearing rambling or heavy electronic sounds.
The music accompanying the message from ‘Imaginary Enemy’ is similarly uncomplicated. Since the raw, under-produced sound of their self-titled debut, The Used have steadily developed a more commercial edge. On this, their sixth studio album, the band continue by cramming in more down-tempo tracks than ever before. Ultimately the record closes with three particularly low key numbers, yet ones with the simple political charge that defines the whole album. ‘Kenna Song’ builds on a slow marching drumbeat with McCracken demanding the end of all the secrets, asking “when will someone bring the soldiers back from war.”
It’s easy to cringe at the uncomplicated approach to both the lyrical content and the sound on ‘Imaginary Enemy’, and undoubtedly many people will. The album doesn’t have the same heart as their prior material, instead shifting the focus entirely. Yet, at least for a younger generation, The Used are providing a relatable platform to air their concerns. It’s difficult to imagine that soldiers on the frontlines will be using ‘Imaginary Enemy’ to pump themselves up for battle but, as McCracken rightly croons “we have the right for our voices to be heard,” at least somebody is saying something.
BEN TIPPLE