For the middle school emo kids who miss 2004 era My Chemical Romance, may I introduce you to As It Is. This British pop punk band was formed in 2012 and has since released two studio albums and performed headlining shows across the world. The band’s newest single takes on a heavy tone and topic. “The Wounded World” is the lead single off their third studio album “The Great Depression.” With a bit of screaming along the way, the song discusses depression and challenges problematic ways.

As It Is has always addressed issues of mental illness in their work, but it delves deeper into the subject on the upcoming record. In a statement the band says the album “is about the societal romanticisation of depression, the disrepair of present-day human connection.” The theme is tackled head on as the single and music video work together to push the message forward. The video portrays frontman Patty Walters leading a tour group through the artifacts of today which include a shattered tablet and virtual reality glasses. The spectators stare at phones and ignore the tour, emphasizing the problem that people would rather be engulfed in their own personal device than pay attention to the world around them. Because of this mindset people seem less interested in interacting with and checking in on each other.

Once Walters realizes the crowd isn’t listening, he aggressively sings, “I know this isn't something you're going to like to hear / Which is exactly why you need to hear this.” No one wants to be told that they are a part of the problem, but drawing attention to the causes of the negative consequences is often necessary to bring an end to that negativity. The song repeatedly states, “we’re all to blame for the wounded world,” meaning we all share responsibility for what has happened and for fixing it. It challenges the listeners to be more aware of their surroundings and more connected to the people in their lives.

As It Is have not created the happy, carefree song of the summer, but as they tour the U.S. on the final run of Vans Warped Tour this summer, there will be fans at their set screaming the lyrics back at them. The frank lyrics and emotionally charged message speak to fans who struggle with mental illness providing them an outlet and helping them to know they aren’t alone. While one single can’t strip away all of the stigmas surrounding mental illness or the problems the world is facing, opening up the conversation is certainly a step in the right direction.