In less than two years, Machine Gun Kelly has gone from an underrated rapper to the type of rockstar reminiscent of the early 2000s, to headlining festivals with the likes of Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, and Green Day.
Mainstream Sellout follows 2020’s Tickets to My Downfall, an anthemic, nostalgic body of work that soared Kelly’s career to new heights. He once vied for Eminem’s crown in the rap scene but traded his rapid-fire delivery and mohawk for pink guitars and a choker. He’s never been one to let outside opinions phase him too much–especially with the support of his loyal fanbase–and it’s clear that the not-so-positive feedback he’s received for exploring the rock genre after years of rap was the driving force behind this album.
He once again teams up with blink-182 drummer Travis Barker to give the album that signature early 2000s pop-punk heartbeat. “Born With Horns” is the album’s aggressive opening track that sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s a lyrical confession of loneliness, pain, and pessimism. “Alienate me / I’m not the one you want. I feel so alienated / Like I’m the devil’s spawn.”
This theme continues with “God Save Me,” a frustrated cry where he laments the death of his parents and all of the grief that comes along with it. “Maybe” is the first collaboration of the album. It’s a moody track about a doomed relationship that gains its edge with the addition of Bring Me the Horizon. The screams of Oli Sykes reverberate against Kelly’s deep tone, creating a unique blend of vocals that makes it one of my favorites of the album.
Next up is “Drug Dealer,” a ridiculously catchy song that lyrically plays into rockstar stereotypes especially due to the addition of Lil Wayne. And this isn’t his last feature on the tracklist either– he returns for a verse on “Ay!” which was released as the second single of the album. The dark, mentally revealing lyrics come in contrast with the bouncy beat and lighthearted piano. Kelly sings, “Yeah, I let the medicine in / I know it don’t help in the end / But I got depression again.”
“Emo Girl” was the first single from the album. It’s a playful track that leans heavily into the current pop-punk resurgence with the help of Gen-Z icon WILLOW. It’s gained mixed reviews from fans and haters but nevertheless has still racked up over 30 million streams on Spotify.
Also on the collab list are pop superstars Iann Dior and blackbear, who were both also featured on Tickets to My Downfall. Dior tags along for fan-favorite “Fake Love Don’t Last,” and blackbear brings his signature smooth vocals to “Make Up Sex.” Both of these songs are reminiscent of their previous collabs, but they are still two of my personal favorites because of their groove and overall feel-good quality.
Speaking of feel-good, this album also features “Wall of Fame – Interlude,” the third consecutive Pete Davidson cameo on one of his albums. The two best friends are heard laughing as Pete introduces the next song on the album, saying it’s a “banger” before asking what the name of the album is.
And perfectly enough, his question is answered as it transitions into the title track, “Mainstream Sellout.” This song is a painfully self-aware clap-back at all of the rock purists who have essentially been telling him to stay in his lane. “I heard the feedback, I’m a poser. With a guitar, and a choker. Leave the scene you’re ruining it. You sold out and it makes me sick.”
Machine Gun Kelly also added “Papercuts” to this album; a song he introduced in 2021 but decided to spice up for the album. During his VMA performance last September, he added a live rap verse to the middle of the song that became popular amongst his fans. Tweeting out, “i added the rap verse (from the VMA performance) to the album version of papercuts just for you because i LISTEN 😉 #MainstreamSellout” gained a favorable reaction.
“Sid & Nancy” and “Twin Flame” round out the album, two tracks that chronicle relationships in two very different ways. The first comes as a reference to the movie of the same title, “Write it in blood and we both sign, Sid and Nancy in murder-suicide.” “Twin Flame” is one more personal to Kelly. It’s a direct look into his high-profile engagement to actress Megan Fox, using clips of her voicemails in the song itself. It’s a deep dive into seeing the insecurity he faces being romantically involved with someone he views as wholeheartedly better and purer than him. It’s a perfect mesh of an adorable love song for his fiancé, a way to wrestle with personal demons, and an overall showcase of the heavy guitars and musical talent present throughout the entire record.
Mainstream Sellout is a standout to me because of its relatable angst, surprising collaborations, and lyrical storytelling. I think it lacks the initial shock value of the genre-bending that Tickets to My Downfall had, but it’s still a step in the right direction for the alternative resurgence we’re seeing currently in the music industry. It’s almost impossible for me to pick a favorite, but if I were to make a top three “Twin Flame,” “Make Up Sex,” and “Maybe” would definitely be up there.
As someone who’s watched Colson Baker grow into the incredible, unique artist he’s become over the last few years, I’m super proud to call myself a fan.