Machine Gun Kelly — Tickets To My Downfall
The Cleveland rapper pivots into Pop-Punk
Tickets to My Downfall is the daydream of someone who was a teenager in the ‘00s. Written by a 29 year old millennial with a big appetite for nostalgia, it’s filled with every hook and vocal inflection you would expect to hear on a Fueled by Ramen compilation in 2006 (all that’s missing is a line about “escaping this town”). Colson Baker, or Machine Gun Kelly, has been putting out rap records since 2012’s Lace Up, he has a 4x platinum pop song with Camila Cabello, and has publicly feuded with Eminem. So naturally, he pivoted to pop-punk for his fifth studio album.
Like many 29 year olds, Baker is clearly influenced by the MTV pop-punk ‘00s. He imitates the biggest figures like Tom DeLonge, who Baker really wants to sound like at so many points. He goes as far as dropping a “yead”, DeLonge’s signature pronunciation of “head”, in the chorus of lead single “bloody valentine”. The lead guitar riff on “concert for aliens”, could be right off of blink-182’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. It all makes sense with Travis Barker recruited to executive produce and plays drums. He’s a noticeable addition, his speed and fills carry standout “forget me too” (featuring Halsey) as it shifts perspective from Baker to Halsey, the latter who is also doing an impression, going for an early Hayley Williams sound.
There are moments when Tickets to My Downfall does sound new, as Baker manages to sprinkle in some rap influence throughout the multiple features. “all i know” blends the genres with an auto-tuned verse from feature Trippie Redd, laid over Barker’s rhythmic snares and hi-hats. “my ex’s best friend” (featuring Blackbear) combines palm muting with a drum machine and a deep bass. You could call it pop-punk, but it’s a much more modern take on the genre compared to the rest of the album.
Tickets to My Downfall is an amalgamation of its influences, sometimes feeling derivative (did you notice the lower case song titles?) and sometimes really working. It’s an adrenaline rush, and feels just new enough to belong in 2020. Don’t expect the high to last, but enjoy it while it does.