Performer, Machine Gun Kelly, released a new album in september. Photos by Greg Clark.
I’ve decided to review the guy who threw a beer at me at his concert last year.
Machine Gun Kelly is switching genres in his new album, “Tickets to My Downfall,” which dropped on Sept. 25. Kelly goes punk pop on this album with the help of Blink-182’s drummer Travis Barker as executive producer. His previous album, “Hotel Diablo,” received strong reviews and a few chart-topping songs, such as “I Think I’m OKAY.” This was also the album he toured with to the Ryan Center. I got to shoot photos for the event, and yes, Machine Gun Kelly threw a beer at me and soaked my clothes.
MGK released three singles to tease the release of the album, the first being “bloody valentine.” The percussion drives the song with an infectious beat from the start, which is expected when Barker is on the drums. Drum fills are placed sporadically throughout the track and a major drum fill is placed before the last chorus.
After “bloody valentine,” MGK released “concert for aliens” and “my ex’s best friend,” which features Blackbear. The song builds up perfectly to a huge chorus that is easy to sing along to. The beat switch for Blackbear’s verse works perfectly with his style. Like Machine Gun Kelly, Blackbear is another versatile rapper who often crosses genres.
The first song on the album, which is perfectly titled “title track” is one of the best opening tracks I have heard on an album. The slow start leading into a massive drum fill with a pre-chorus sets the tone for the album. Machine Gun Kelly sings about how everyone who he is close to was there to see him fail. In an interview, Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, stated that he felt like he had the most friends at the worst time in his life.
The album also has a few other features in addition to Barker and Blackbear. These include Halsey, Trippie Redd and Iann Dior. These features give a new twist to the classic pop punk songs of the early 2000s.
There was also a deluxe version of the album released on Sept. 29 which has a few more tracks titled “hangover cure,”“split a pill” and “can’t look back.” It also has “body bag” which is a feature with Yungblud, who MGK collaborated with on “I Think I’m OKAY.” It was the final song of his last album, “Hotel Diablo,” and it started the punk pop trend for him.
Artists like Machine Gun Kelly are not afraid to cross genres, which shows he loves music in general, not just rap. This allows for interesting records such as “Tickets to my Downfall” to be released. More and more artists, such as Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga have been crossing genres and reinventing music, and it is a trend I want to stay.
From the great album title to the intense punk drums, this album is a must-listen, even if you don’t consider yourself a fan of Machine Gun Kelly or the punk pop genre.
Tracklist:
title track
kiss kiss
drunk face
bloody valentine
forget me too (feat. Halsey)
all I know (feat. Trippie Redd)
lonely
WWIII
kevin and barracuda – interlude
concert for aliens
my ex’s best friend (with Blackbear)
jawbreaker
nothing inside (feat. iann dior)
banyan tree – interlude
play this when i’m gone
Rating: 9/10