The Used’s Bert McCracken has announced a new solo project called robbietheused. He said the following about that:

“I wanted a nice 40th birthday present for myself. So I decided to make a pop record.

I’ve always tried to push for the poppy stuff for The Used records. And the band really likes to keep it heavy. So this is my way of getting all those pop songs that maybe wouldn’t make a Used record out into the world.

The whole vibe was really, really dark—and I was in a really, really dark place. But recording pop music helped. Having a bunch of pop songs lifted my spirits quite a bit. And ‘Just A Little Bit’ was a bright moment in the record—seeing positive things for the future and hoping for the best.”

He also talked about working with producer John Feldmann:

“In the morning, we’d talk about how we’re feeling and what’s on our minds on that day. And ask, ‘How’s the mental health? How’s the vibes?’ And then we’d formulate a song around that. It was almost like a therapy session, where I’d really get to talk about anything that’s on my mind, and then make a song about it.”

He also confirmed that The Used is still his main priority:

“The Used is my number one priority and my favorite band in the world with my favorite singer of all time. My band members have all been really supportive, and they know how much I love pop music.

Any feeling is valid—and to be able to put it to song is incredible. And there’s so much room in this world for positivity. I want this music to show that there’s room for love. There’s room for growth. There’s room for redemption. There’s room for sweet, loving revenge. There’s so many good people—and so many good things happening.”

robbietheused’s first single, “Just A Little Bit,” can be streamed below. He added the following about that:

“It’s a song about living through turmoil of the world and seeing a bit of a bright future ahead, seeing the sun peek out of the clouds, seeing a mistake being fixed. It’s about having a little bit of hope.”