Album Review: Lost Americana

Machine Gun Kelly (MGK)

Having been a fan of Machine Gun Kelly’s music since 2020’s Tickets to My Downfall. I have always appreciated his genre duality in which he blends emo rap with pop punk. With Travis Barker at the helm of production for his past few efforts it is very clear the influence he has had on his songwriting and musical direction. Though I feel that mainstream sellout was a step backward in his catalog. Lost Americana is a massive return to form and has re solidified him as a force to be reconned with in the scene. A standout track for me would be his mashup of the Third Eye Blind Song Semi Charmed Kind of Life where he uses the main verse of the original song and writes lyrics around it.

What truly makes this album special is the quality of the songwriting and the raw honesty behind his lyrics and delivery. I have always appreciated machine gun kelly’s voice as it stands out from the pack. He has truly become a wolf among the sheep and breathes new life into a genre that many believe is on life support. It is encouraging to see his growth as a songwriter and musician. Though I do not appreciate him as a person, this is truly an instance where I find myself able to separate the art from the artist and enjoy this new record as a complete package that stands far above some of the other mainstays in the genre.

While I do believe this album has some flaws in pacing and song placement, that does not take away from the light that it brings to the scene. With a few blemishes here and there, the record shine’s brighter than ever in all of the right places. It truly is a beacon of hope for those who may need to hear it with uplifting lyrics and melodies that shine. This is an album that I genuinely believe will be alive in the heart of the listener for years to come.

When I reflect on the growth I have seen in Machine Gun Kelly’s writing and presence on the tracks it is comforting to know that he has not thrown in the towel and is shining brighter than ever on these new songs. Having fully digested his influences he has taken the best parts of each and truly proven that he is here to stay.