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Mallory Knox are not hiding the fact that their latest album is their most personal yet.

"It's not second nature for us to be as open and honest as we are," says lead singer Mikey Chapman.

Songs such as Better Off Without You touch on the mental health problems that some band members have experienced.

Lyrics include: "I barely feel sad, I rarely feel happy. Pop those pills and settle down."

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As other artists such as Stormzy and Professor Green have said before, talking about issues like depression can only be a good thing.

"If it helps people - or at least creates a conversation - then why not. It's much better than singing about money and girls and success," says Mikey.

While realising the importance of social media, the band say they also know what it can do to people's minds.

"We're all so ready to promote the good parts of our lives, but a lot of growth and character building comes from the negative moments in your life," he says.

"I think it's important to reflect on those, as well as the positive moments."

Wired, the band's third studio album, was released earlier this year.

The group recently completed their biggest headline tour to date and are preparing for a summer of festivals.

"We're not breaking boundaries on this new record but it's certainly taken us in a direction which we've been hungry for for a while," says Mikey.

"I'm 27 now, growing up and maturing. I want to put some of that personal experience into the creation process. There is honesty and storytelling in this one."

He's been in various bands since the age of 13 but Mikey says Mallory Knox are in a great place right now and he's "grateful to realise the dream" of signing a record deal back in 2011.

"We come from Ely outside Cambridge. It's a rural part of the world and not a lot goes on. It was a pipe dream and we thought we'd give it a go."

Away from the band, Mikey is studying in his spare time.

He says it's important to share an opinion. He's political on stage and is also is disciplined when it comes to the gigs.

To maintain his powerhouse vocal, he didn't drink alcohol until the last day of the tour.

"I take it very seriously," he explains.

"I'm here to make the best noises with my voice, so if that means I have to sacrifice a few things, then so be it.

"You wouldn't hold it against someone like Beyonce or Adele. Just because she's not in the corner drinking a bottle of alcohol, it doesn't mean that she's not living the life."

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