Undercard, the hard-hitting rock band from Spokane, Washington, is proud to unveil their deeply personal new single, “Helplessness”, from their forthcoming debut album, Show Me Your Darkness. Set to release in spring 2025, the album and its first single are an unfiltered exploration of trauma, healing, and hope in the face of adversity.
New Single: “Helplessness”
“Helplessness” is an anthem of raw emotion, tackling the pain of living with childhood trauma, PTSD, and anxiety. The song speaks to the frustration and sadness of spending years struggling to heal while simultaneously trying to survive in a demanding world.
“This song is about the unfairness of having to spend your entire life fixing what someone else broke,” shares Mike Forland, lead vocalist of Undercard. “Our brains are fascinating — both smart and dumb in the way they process trauma. They don’t use a timeline. Childhood trauma doesn’t stay in the past; instead, the brain often treats it like it’s happening in the present day. That’s where the pain lies, it feels fresh, even though it’s years old. I’m pissed off and sad at the same time, pissed that I missed out on so much while healing and sad that I’m still in the process of patching up those open wounds.”
The song captures the anger, grief, and exhaustion of navigating mental health challenges while still holding out hope for something better. “Some of it you don’t even realize how bad it is because much of it is subconscious,” Forland continues. “It’s only when you’re with a new partner or significant other that you start to see the deeper-rooted stuff show up like fear of abandonment, trust issues, the ability to accept love, or the overwhelming fear of losing the one you love.”
Forland emphasizes that many people in today’s society don’t fully understand what it’s like for someone struggling with these challenges. “The person dealing with these issues isn’t a bad person, it takes someone really special and amazing to have the patience, love, and support to help overcome those fears in the early stages of a relationship. The sad part is that most people don’t have the capacity to provide the love that person may need. But people with anxiety attachment are often some of the most incredible individuals you can be with. They love thoroughly and deeply, and they’re incredibly solid when given the understanding and care they deserve.”
Upcoming Album: Show Me Your Darkness
Set for release in spring 2025, Show Me Your Darkness is Undercard’s debut album. Created during the challenges of the pandemic, the album delves into struggles often left unspoken, emphasizing themes of resilience and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.