Kevin Bronson on October 10th, 2018

0

When L.A.-via-Provo, Utah trio the Moth & The Flame returned in August with a new single, it marked the end from a one-year hiatus spent recharging their batteries, taking care of family matters and, in the case of frontman Brandon Robbins, donating an organ.

In early 2017, Robbins donated a kidney to Corey Fox, owner of the Provo music venue Velour, an early supporter of the band and a man who had suffered chronic kidney disease since he was a teenager. During his recovery, Robbins got back to songwriting, and this week Robbins and bandmates Mark Garbett and Andrew Tolman announced that their sophomore album, “Ruthless,” would be out Feb. 1.

Produced by Grammy winner Peter Katis (interpol, the National), “Ruthless” is the follow-up to 2016’s “Young & Unafraid,” which found TMTF channeling their arena-ready sound in moody, serious-minded rock songs. And the new single “The New Great Depression” is weighted by no less gravitas, tackling the issues of anxiety and depression. “There are some really dark and uncomfortable moments contrasted with breakthroughs of clarity, beauty and hope,” Robbins says. “It’s something we feel really strongly about, especially with how prevalent depression is today.”

Robbins himself told the story of sharing his struggles with his parents in a letter posted to Facebook on Friday:

“Opening up about it changed my life. It changed my perspective. It led me to find more help. It brought me to a healthier and happier place. I share this because 1 in 5 people will suffer from depression in their lifetime. Too many struggle alone and in silence. Talking to someone immediately improves your chances of getting better. I challenge anyone who is struggling with depression to tell someone, anyone. And then I challenge you to share that experience, whether past or present, and hashtag it, so others will be inspired to do the same. #OpenUp”

||| Watch: The video for “The New Great Depression”

||| Stream: The song here