Over the last decade Machine Gun Kelly has become one of the hottest alternative rappers. He’s back with his fifth-studio album, Tickets to My Downfall, which is a pop-punk flavoured addition to his discography, featuring 15-tracks. And with a solid list of collaborations, it’s clear to see MGK wasn’t messing around with this new album as he’s continuously growing into a stronger musician.
‘Title Track’, opens Tickets to My Downfall, that includes a fun raw pop-punk instrumental of guitar filled with percussion. Moving on to, ‘Kiss Kiss’ which gives off nostalgia making the listener miss this kinda music that used to be more frequent. It will be a great song to jump and dance along to when concerts are a thing again with comfort.
‘Drunk Face’ is a song that will make the listener miss their younger days as MGK says, “I’m still young / Wasting my youth / I’ll grow up next summer.” It has a pop-punk instrumentation along with his vocals that are edgy, really making this song feel nostalgic, reminiscing on youthful days while growing up and realising where things actually are.
‘Bloody Valentine’ is a catchy anthem about falling hard for someone. It has a chant-worthy chorus that is overall a masterpiece. “I don’t do fake love / But I’ll take some from you tonight / I know I’ve got to go / But I might just miss the flight / I can’t stay forever, let’s play pretend / And treat this night like it’ll happen again / You’ll be my bloody valentine tonight.”
Next up is ‘Forget Me Too’ featuring Halsey which has a powerful mood that is fast-paced, with sick beat lyrics that just slaps from the first note. Then, ‘All I Know’ features Trippie Redd, which has catchy melodies, trap vibes, making it sonically stunning with great lyricism.
‘Lonely’ is an emotional track that is emulated in the pop-punk genre. . .drenched in sad vibes that is just utterly perfect. It’s a delicate addition to the record tragically after MGK’s father's passing. At the end of the track, he attached a recording of his father explaining to him about his birth and a heart scare, frighteningly assuming he wouldn’t make it.
Following this, ‘WWIII’ finds MGK’s new sound refreshing as it’s a flavourful pop-punk track with anthemic moods that will have the listener immediately dancing along to. Then, ‘Kevin and Barracuda (Interlude)’ is an interesting track that transitions in ‘Concerts for Aliens’ which is a pop-punk anthem, with naughties throwback and influence of instrumentation and vibes that truly bring this song to life.
‘My Ex’s Best Friend’ featuring blackbear which is a nonchalant and noteworthy track. The emo vibes that are present really bring the song to life. It has sticky choruses, electrifying energy, and interesting melodies. With this collaboration, both artists really did a good job combining their talents to create something no one knew they needed.
‘Jawbreaker’ will have a lot of jaws dropping with how good this track is. MGK has really found his sound and style to perfection. Moving on to, ‘Nothing Inside’ featuring Iann Dior is a great song to jam along to. With lines of “She looked dead into my eyes and she saw nothing inside,” it’s a powerful statement that not alone brings the song to life, but every gut-wrenching emotion is alive.
‘Banyan Tree (interlude)’ shares an intimate conversation between him and his girlfriend Megan Fox about their relationship. Whereas, closing out the record with an emotional track, ’Play This When I’m Gone’ is an ode to his daughter, but is still able to pull on the listeners’ heartstrings.
Tickets to My Downfall, is a heartfelt record, yet transparent. MGK’s vocals are better than ever and that will make this album a future classic. Created with excellence and covered in energy, it makes it a repeatable collection of tunes. As the songs progress, it’s clear to see he was able to cover many topics from heartbreak, love to feeling lost. It’s an absolute masterpiece from the get-go.
The album is guitar driven pop-punk making it a departure from his signature rap sound. Although there’s a modern take on the genre, he truly keeps the classic pop-punk vibe alive recording each track with live instrument sounds. It’s covered in lyrical substance that makes this album MGK’s most personal collection of songs to date. Drenched in infectious pop melodies, intriguing harmonies, and catchy rock choruses, it was an unexpected release yet so greatly created. As the record plays on, it’s clear to see he’s an open diary and it’s flinching how confessional and personal he got.
Tickets to My Downfall, follows his previous albums Lace Up (2012), General Admission (2015), Bloom (2017), and Hotel Diablo (2019).
Words by Danielle Holian