Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), Cleveland, Ohio, born rapper is well known for his work with Yungblud, Travis Barker, Sleeping With Sirens, Halsey amongst many other household names. Late September 2020, Kelly released his fifth studio album Tickets To My Downfall which was the first taste fans got, of the rapper's pop-punk side.
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| Photo Credit - Johnathan Weiner |
It is little to no secret that Kelly sought very limited success within rap regardless of tracks like Bad Thing ft. Camila Cabello Wild Boy and At My Best ft. Hailee Steinfeld, which both have found success over time. Being part of the industry for 15 years and counting, it was time for a change. Although it is admirable how long Kelly stuck to his music in the rap genre, it was a vital step to growing success. Time and time again musicians alter their styles for a plethora of different reasons. In this case, MGK is no different.
His fifth studio LP, Tickets To My Downfall is the passport to pop-punk for his career. Although we are not hearing his singing for the first time, there is a sparse element of surprise to the tracks. It’s a stimulating and energising alteration from his other works.
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| Photo credit - Nathan James |
The first single released off the album, Bloody Valentine was the first real taste fans had into pop-punk MGK. The melodic track offered a desirable tune which is a refreshing yet compelling reminiscence is very Blink-182 vibes. Which in turn makes sense, since Blink-182 drummer, Travis Barker produced the track. The first listen of the single came with its music video, featuring Megan Fox.
Bloody Valentine seeks the passion-pain elements of an intense relationship. It opens with the stereotypical scene-setting of MGK lip-syncing the track but; things quickly change perspectives when Kelly gets taped up, and Fox is singing. Fox takes Kelly’s place with the performance element keeping the video captivating and a pleasure to watch. Even when we see her pick up Kelly’s guitar, acting like him, attitude and all. The sheer juxtaposition between him and Fox, one minute we have him performing, the next we have him tied up, taped, and electrocuted. All apart of the journey of the relationship, so it would seem.
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| Photo credit - Nathan James |
The biggest role played during this fun reenactment of a female dominant relationship comes from Fox herself, keeping things lighthearted and pleasurable to watch. Although there were comedic elements the overall gist of the video reinstates the message of MGK’s track. Visually the video works in all elements, but auditory the energy is there from the get-go.
Final thoughts on Tickets to My Downfall and Bloody Valentine is that cold-hard fans will be torn. They either love this side of MGK or hate it. The good to come out of this version of his discography is it has influenced Kelly to delve deeper, into a much more raw sound and a darker sound that we are yet to get from him. The year is rapidly running out though, so if we are to be getting a 2021 LP from Kelly, he has very little time left.
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