Mainstream Sellout
by Machine Gun Kelly
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 94
  3. Negative: 37 out of 94
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  1. luiza2
    Apr 12, 2022
    10
    literalmente um dos melhores álbuns que eu já escutei, toda a temática e investimento valeram a pena pq a composição desse álbum é simplesmente genial. machine gun kelly já vem se mostrando um artista incrível com o passar dos anos mas com esse álbum ele realmente provou sua capacidade voa e seu talento como artista e músico assim como seu álbum passado, tickets to my downfall, esse álbumliteralmente um dos melhores álbuns que eu já escutei, toda a temática e investimento valeram a pena pq a composição desse álbum é simplesmente genial. machine gun kelly já vem se mostrando um artista incrível com o passar dos anos mas com esse álbum ele realmente provou sua capacidade voa e seu talento como artista e músico assim como seu álbum passado, tickets to my downfall, esse álbum realmente surpreendeu a mim. machine gun kelly vom uma visão diferente e incrível incrível mundo foi responsável por um dos melhores álbuns do ano… Expand
  2. extintordodidi
    Apr 12, 2022
    8
    Is it cliche? Yes. It's fun? AF. Does it looks like his predecessor in almost every aspect? Of course. Do I like MGK? No.
  3. IvanSolis2001
    Apr 30, 2022
    7
    It's a nice project to listen to but not better than their previous album,, it's not a horrible album but not a masterpiece.
  4. Haspadar
    Jun 10, 2022
    7
    The Album is loud, aggressive, fast and very 00's.
    And that's good, imo.
    Personally, I do not get why it is hated so much.
  5. hannahbaana
    Oct 25, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly, this is a perfect album. There's not a single song that's a skip. Colson was able to lyrically connect with so many struggles a lot of his fans battle with and I think that's what makes the album amazing. You have topics from general depression, to suicidal thoughts, to even miscarriage. Then you have your more upbeat topics that delicately balance the feelings you get when listening to all the tracks. One of his best works for sure.… Expand
  6. AshmasterXX
    Mar 27, 2022
    2
    If being a mainstream sellout would make this music sound less like car keys being scratched against a whiteboard, then by all means go ahead and become one.
  7. Nygaard
    Mar 25, 2022
    9
    I brought the album after listening to maybe and loving it so far. A great album which is catchy and is a lot deeper when you listen to his lyrics. This will be on repeat for awhile! Other great track include drug dealer which may be my new favourite track and make up sex with Blackbear to follow up their classic last year
  8. dozhin
    Mar 27, 2022
    1
    I don't mind machine gun kelly and I actually really enjoyed Tickets To My Downfall but this was probably one of the worst albums I've ever heard. I don't know who is trying to appeal to in this album because its so obvious that he is not appealing to the emo scene because everyone in the emo scene hates him because of the cliche and cringe lyrics.
  9. FuMyNameCk
    Mar 26, 2022
    9
    "Tickets to my Downfall" was definitely a better album, but this one is also good
  10. MetalReview
    Mar 26, 2022
    7
    So MGK brought Pop Punk back to life after many years I heard MGK's previous album and it's quite a spin. So Mainstream Sellout is a cute album. Everything has a lot to say. The lyrics of the song are useless. Hate rap (well I'm a metalist I only hear metal). The album has elements of Emo and Pop Punk and Rap I give a score of 7.7 out of 10 There is a lot to fix besides the album cover
  11. Bluszar
    Mar 28, 2022
    0
    this guy is 31 years old and makes music for 14 year old kids lol maybe it's time to change genres again
  12. nbennington2
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It’s good and very emotional mgk is doing an amazing music and I hope he keep… Expand
  13. Jeren
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    Tickets To My Downfall is an upper, Mainstream Sellout is a downer, I absolutely loved every song on the album. Probably a tad more than TTMD
  14. DevinMarklee
    Mar 26, 2022
    0
    Worst stuff ive ever heard. cliche lyrics, mediocre melodies and just overall seems like it was rushed and not much effort put in. 0 out of 10 would not listen again.
  15. highballslider
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    I don't get the hate for this album, I enjoyed 10 out of 16 songs and that interlude was funny as hell. I would give it a solid 9.3 out of 10.
  16. JoSweet
    Mar 25, 2022
    7
    I think tickets to my downfall was more fleshed out and had a more unique feeling to it with very few bad songs. While mainstream sellout doesn’t live up to those expectations, most of the new album is solid. It’s heavier rock than that alt pop sound that was on tickets to my downfall but overall, every song on mainstream sellout is worth a listen.
  17. PolSkypunk
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    Okay so, I might get controversial but who cares, everyone has a right to have an opinion...
    So, Machine Gun Kelly did an absolute banger of an album! Mainstream sellout sounds a little bit famillar to Tickets to my downfall, but yet it feels like something new. Only thing I do not like is fact that there are a lot of collaborations, but still this is one great album. A lot of mainstream    Okay so, I might get controversial but who cares, everyone has a right to have an opinion...
    So, Machine Gun Kelly did an absolute banger of an album! Mainstream sellout sounds a little bit famillar to Tickets to my downfall, but yet it feels like something new. Only thing I do not like is fact that there are a lot of collaborations, but still this is one great album. A lot of mainstream victims will judge this album and MGK and say he is a poser ot smth like that, but no one can say he is not doing the right thing, right?
    Hope with this album, MGK will wake up more and more pop punk bands and artists.
    Punk is not dead!    … Expand
  18. Danm95VFF
    Mar 28, 2022
    0
    Legitimately one of the worst things I've ever heard. Machine Gun Kelly's singing style is unbearable, plus lyrically he comes off as so insecure, obnoxious and wannabe-edgy on this record that it's impossible to relate to him or sympathise with him. To add insult to injury, it all plays out to the sound of throwaway Blink-182 ripoff instrumentals (sorry Travis, you're wasting your talentLegitimately one of the worst things I've ever heard. Machine Gun Kelly's singing style is unbearable, plus lyrically he comes off as so insecure, obnoxious and wannabe-edgy on this record that it's impossible to relate to him or sympathise with him. To add insult to injury, it all plays out to the sound of throwaway Blink-182 ripoff instrumentals (sorry Travis, you're wasting your talent here) and some awful guest features. Avoid this one… Expand
  19. ZeldaNerd
    Mar 25, 2022
    9
    This album is getting way too much hate, people don't know what they want lmao, first MGK is getting too stale with his rapping, and now he's leaning into pop too much. Personally, I never liked his rapping ever, and this album is a great continuation of his Tickets turnaround. Not quite as good as that album, but still very good
  20. joehonkers
    Mar 27, 2022
    0
    it’s bad really bad like really bad it’s so bad i don’t wanna listen to music ever again
  21. AzzurroWolf
    Mar 29, 2022
    0
    I've been an MGK fan for a number of years. I don't know what this is, but it isn't MGK. Hot garbage.
  22. JorgeGonzalez92
    Mar 25, 2022
    4
    There are some nice sounds on the album and it is produced pretty well, but MGK himself is just not very memorable. Lyric-wise very much a bust, and while there are some okay features, that's where the "praise" ends. I am sure it has reached its core demographic: edgy pre-teens. Should they truly like this, and not just because of his faux-edgy persona, then good for them, but I will sayThere are some nice sounds on the album and it is produced pretty well, but MGK himself is just not very memorable. Lyric-wise very much a bust, and while there are some okay features, that's where the "praise" ends. I am sure it has reached its core demographic: edgy pre-teens. Should they truly like this, and not just because of his faux-edgy persona, then good for them, but I will say that there are plenty of genuine musicians out there who make genuine art and not just noise. Maybe give them a listen.… Expand
  23. MJ_Crowe
    Mar 27, 2022
    8
    I'll start with this: I completely understand WHY a certain generation is pushing back on Machine Gun Kelly. He looks, to a certain demographic, like he's trying too hard and it instantly puts a taste in your mouth. That said, as someone who was not only a musician in the underground rock community both in folk rock as a back up vocalist and pianist and in hard rock as a lead singer, theI'll start with this: I completely understand WHY a certain generation is pushing back on Machine Gun Kelly. He looks, to a certain demographic, like he's trying too hard and it instantly puts a taste in your mouth. That said, as someone who was not only a musician in the underground rock community both in folk rock as a back up vocalist and pianist and in hard rock as a lead singer, the negative reviews on this album and on his first rock album are, I feel, driven in personal view of him overall and not of the actual music. This is not a bad album at all, it's honestly a really solid album that blends pop, punk and his hip hop beginnings beautifully. There's a lot of criticism over his voice from many of the very same people I see praise so many grunge artists of the 90's and 2000's, and I find that really ironic. His voice works perfectly with what he's doing. He sounds, to me, like he was plucked from 90's grunge vocally. Putting that on top of the catchy hooks and the blend of modern day hip hop and punk, it's a great recipe. As a vocalist, I really appreciate that I can listen to this album and physically hear that he's actually working on his voice. The vocals sound a lot more raw than what we got on Tickets to my Downfall, and again, I LOVE the sound of a raw and imperfect punk/grunge vocal on top of these sounds. The music is catchy, it's significantly better both lyrically and musically than the majority of what we're hearing beside it on Top 40, and the sound of his voice keeps it from crossing the line into being cookie cutter. I'll admit, I'd like to hear him spend less time addressing what other people think of him. I do appreciate it, because he sees all of the collective negativity from people in the rock community and it's a big part of his reality right now, so he's addressing it. But MGK does lyrically have a lot more to offer than that based on his previous work, even as early as 2020. If you haven't listened to Pretty Toxic Revolver from the lockdown sessions, you should. That said, there are moments in this album that I feel he's lyrically strong. I loved his contributions to Die In California. Go and listen to his earlier album, General Admission. Imagine that level of lyricism with this sound. I'm actually excited to see that develop. Overall, taking all bias out of it seeing as I'm very aware of MGK's career since about 2010, this album is significantly stronger musically than the majority of what we see in Top 40 charts. To the gatekeepers, I can only say this: there's nothing more annoying or less rock and roll than pretending you need a pass to get there. The more you push back at him while he continues to chart, the more you look like you're whining. There's absolutely nothing Rock about gatekeeping, so stop it. Machine Gun Kelly has always had a lyrical element of "emo" to some degree. He's always been candid about his personal struggles, his addiction and his struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, and he doesn't stop those confessions on Mainstream Sellout. The same testimony of the same struggles is still there, and it's beautiful to see on an album that's slated for the billboard charts. He tends to get a bit repetitive with some of the vocal melodies on certain songs, Born with Horns and God Save Me sound a little too similar vocally, but I think it's a learning process and I like hearing him grow into this sound. Listen to it in some good headphones, because the production quality is off the charts, and actually listen to the music. It's so much better than what these reviews are reflecting.… Expand
  24. Hunter1223
    Mar 27, 2022
    10
    After listening to his album multiple times, i can definitely say this is a solid album following the same tracks as what Tickets to My Downfall had, i enjoyed the little taste of rap and thought the lyrics were quite well done. in his next one i would definitely like to see him work on developing the sound further and try and create a new typed album rather than following in the footstepsAfter listening to his album multiple times, i can definitely say this is a solid album following the same tracks as what Tickets to My Downfall had, i enjoyed the little taste of rap and thought the lyrics were quite well done. in his next one i would definitely like to see him work on developing the sound further and try and create a new typed album rather than following in the footsteps of tickets, nevertheless great album!… Expand
  25. bt89
    Mar 29, 2022
    4
    This album is very middling, the lyrics are more often than not bland, MGK's voice is not very good, the instrumentals go to **** as the album goes on, and there is a lot of unnecessary romanticization (Drug Dealer, Make Up Sex) that really just does not work. The opening is cool but otherwise, this is pretty damn awful.
  26. All_ButTrU4
    Apr 8, 2022
    0
    Yikes! This is horrendous. Not a single enjoyable moment. Mgk pop punk sound is a soul destroying cacophony with no enjoyment in sight.
  27. Jthentic
    Apr 1, 2022
    10
    Matured version of tickets to my downfall, evolved sound, sorta rap version of General Admission. Solid record.
  28. shettyabhay
    Apr 8, 2022
    9
    Pop-punk flows through every vein of this album with very little change from his last album. Still gets you flipping your head.
  29. JoshuaTMN
    Mar 31, 2022
    9
    IMO I think this was an over-all good album to listen to..... It brings back the old punk days with a little pop mixed in it....
  30. katerina710
    Apr 4, 2022
    9
    It's not a new sound. This album is the second work in punk-rock category and it's cool. Album has a good tracks like:die in California,drug dealer,maybe,fake love,twin flame,5150,make up sex and sid&nancy. It's only my attitude to this album.
  31. Hugoxx28
    Apr 14, 2022
    0
    The album is completely generic, literally all songs sound the same, and sound awful. Plus, MGKs vocal performance on this album is one of the worst things I've ever heard.
  32. TinyRick843
    Mar 27, 2022
    10
    Killing it! Less radio friendly than the last pop punk album ,but definitely more layers.
  33. OgaihtSouza
    Mar 28, 2022
    1
    Ruim demais! Coragem a de quem consome as músicas desse cara. Achei brega, ultrapassado, chato e intragável.
  34. Slappyyyyyy
    Mar 26, 2022
    8
    I personally enjoyed this album. I particularly enjoyed "burn with horns", "god save me", and "maybe". The only negative I have is that some of the lyrics used in the album are slightly cringe. The general vibe of the album was 2000s rock. Most of the songs are fairly intense. Not MGK's best album, but I think that it's worth a listen.
  35. NumB_Pouria
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    It was awsome i loved it sooo so much Great album by Machine Gun Kelly
    Rock on baby
  36. KrillerBomb
    Mar 27, 2022
    0
    Not even an issue that it's straight up a sellout album, but it's just super bland and generic, a step down from TTMD.
  37. MusicGuyMack
    Mar 26, 2022
    3
    Passable production/musicianship and all of two halfway tolerable songs aren't nearly enough to save "Mainstream Sellout" from living up to its title in the worst possible way, as the subpar vocals, laughably vapid and surface-level lyrics, and refusal to progress/deviate from ultra-basic four-chord song structures offered up here by MGK constitute nothing short of an utter insult to aPassable production/musicianship and all of two halfway tolerable songs aren't nearly enough to save "Mainstream Sellout" from living up to its title in the worst possible way, as the subpar vocals, laughably vapid and surface-level lyrics, and refusal to progress/deviate from ultra-basic four-chord song structures offered up here by MGK constitute nothing short of an utter insult to a genre he's proclaimed himself the savior of.

    Choice Cuts: "maybe [feat. Bring Me the Horizon]," "twin flame"    … Expand
  38. Bitt
    Apr 2, 2022
    0
    Mainstream sellout pior álbum do ano, Machine Gun kelly maior vergonha da indústria fonográfica
  39. katemargaret27
    Mar 26, 2022
    1
    This is coming from someone who thought MGK's last album was a 3/4. This is not a good album, and I can barely listen to it without cringing.
  40. stinamn
    Mar 29, 2022
    6
    I don't hate it but I don't love it. Not the same way I loved Tickets to My Downfall. Tickets to My Downfall just flowed. Everything felt like it went together to me. I enjoy listening to this album but it is more background music. I don't get into it as much as Tickets to My Downfall.
  41. Floris157
    Mar 31, 2022
    10
    Yeah...ahahagahagagagagagagahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhaahhaahahahahahahahah
  42. MandoCb
    Mar 28, 2022
    10
    this album is just awesome, I am already so hyped for the tour. The album rly gives me good vibes
  43. Gogo1210
    Mar 26, 2022
    4
    This album is below average at best the production is absolutely terrible mgk lacks range in his voice the songs are structured like nobody cares at all
  44. music_fan1
    Mar 25, 2022
    4
    This was a dreadful album, but oddly better than Tickets To My Downfall. This album lyrically-wise was awful and cringey. Machine Gun Kelly's "rapping" on this album is horrendous. His features are all weak rappers, Lil Wayne & Willow. None of them deliver a good feature. I couldn't even tell you what genre it is, as it's an insult to rock, and insult to rap and just not poppy at all. I doThis was a dreadful album, but oddly better than Tickets To My Downfall. This album lyrically-wise was awful and cringey. Machine Gun Kelly's "rapping" on this album is horrendous. His features are all weak rappers, Lil Wayne & Willow. None of them deliver a good feature. I couldn't even tell you what genre it is, as it's an insult to rock, and insult to rap and just not poppy at all. I do know that I have very little positive things to say, but I will say one. He does know how to capture attention of people and get free press and ads as a result. Also, some of the hooks are a little catchy. The production overall isn't awful, but very annoying at times. A weak 4/10.… Expand
  45. Jacob0052
    Mar 30, 2022
    10
    This is a great album. Machine Gun Kelly does a great job a following up his last album, Tickets to My Downfall.
  46. SmashingReviews
    Mar 26, 2022
    3
    MGK going (again?) through his misunderstood teenager phase and celebrating it. Cringey and sad. Poor writting and generic melodies. Towards the end of the album it becomes clear his biggest inspiration for this project and his new music persona is not actually punk rock, but mumble/emo rap.
  47. Kelix
    Mar 29, 2022
    10
    Technicality wise this one surpasses Tickets however enjoyment wise it falls a bit short of tickets[on the first listen], great album regardless. However, the more i listened to it the more i started liking it. This ones a slow burner. I also saw a lot of ppl complaining about how trash it is, well some ppl are born to hate ig so ignorance is bliss for such ppl i reckon. Hope u enjoy!
  48. tonto
    Apr 1, 2022
    6
    This is very similar in style to his last pop punk album Tickets to My Downfall. It's got that grungy punk rock sound from the early 2000s with electric guitars playing simple, catchy melodies and Travis Barker on the drums. The sound is somewhat unoriginal and generic and the lyrics are pretty cliche. Some of the tracks can be catchy though.
  49. sugarcookie
    May 16, 2022
    3
    I don't know how else to say it, but I am extremely disappointed. I want to simp for MGK, I really do. However, I wish he just pulled a Frank Ocean and left us wanting more. I honestly would go back in time to prevent this album from happening if I could. It's so sad--really. He spent the entire album trying to be cringey with his lyrics by trying to shade the "emo gatekeepers." Legit, whoI don't know how else to say it, but I am extremely disappointed. I want to simp for MGK, I really do. However, I wish he just pulled a Frank Ocean and left us wanting more. I honestly would go back in time to prevent this album from happening if I could. It's so sad--really. He spent the entire album trying to be cringey with his lyrics by trying to shade the "emo gatekeepers." Legit, who cares about these weirdos. If they didn't want to listen to how good Tickets was, that is their problem. They can continue listening to all their old emo bands that have not made a good song in over 10+ years. Do they not realize that Travis Barker is producing these albums? I think I am starting to believe that emo gatekeepers are the equivalent of incels. They liked Blink-182 until Travis Barker decided he wanted to help out other artists' careers by working with them to recreate the old sound. Get over it, Tom Delonge is not coming back to make another Blink-182 album. Anyways, this album was not good. I think he needs to go back to rap and come back in 5 years when Travis Barker has made him another masterpiece of a pop-punk album.… Expand
  50. MetacriticOnur
    Mar 30, 2022
    6
    admirable
    [ ad-mer-uh-buhl ]

    adjective
    worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.
  51. Mpc2004
    Mar 27, 2022
    1
    Nothing original, basic pop-punk instrumental, basic boring lyrics about how he is depressed or something
  52. Mads567k
    Mar 28, 2022
    6
    Not bad, not super good. There are some interesting tracks such as "Maybe" and "5150". I would like to say that he really smashed the features. Gets way to much hate, just because its MGK
  53. iberaider
    Mar 31, 2022
    5
    MGK's second foray into Pop Punk is fine. It's not quite as fresh as 'Tickets to my Downfall' and treads much of the same ground which leaves it making less of an impact. Thematically and lyrically it's a little edgier, a little moodier which, while not always a bad thing, in this case left me feeling bored and underwhelmed during many of the tracks.

    Not to say it doesn't have it's own    MGK's second foray into Pop Punk is fine. It's not quite as fresh as 'Tickets to my Downfall' and treads much of the same ground which leaves it making less of an impact. Thematically and lyrically it's a little edgier, a little moodier which, while not always a bad thing, in this case left me feeling bored and underwhelmed during many of the tracks.

    Not to say it doesn't have it's own standouts like 'Maybe' and '5150'. However, even these don't quite hold up to the best of Tickets. It's a serviceable album, but far from his best and hopefully he'll bring a bit more fire to his next attempt.    … Expand
  54. LadyRevan
    May 24, 2022
    0
    MGK is a predator, in addition to being a horrendous artist- all of his songs feel like he doesn't care at all about making good music and just wants to make as much money as possible.
  55. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    0
    Couldn’t bear it anymore after 4 songs.
    Also a friendly reminder that MGK is literally a p3d0ph1l3
  56. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    0
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt ruim, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Pitchfork
    Apr 4, 2022
    58
    Tickets to My Downfall was memorable for the way it treated pop-punk like a natural palette for his emotions, but this too often feels like a concept album about rock, a stodgy record that’s too busy using “real instruments” to do anything interesting with them.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    Apr 4, 2022
    58
    Tickets to My Downfall was memorable for the way it treated pop-punk like a natural palette for his emotions, but this too often feels like a concept album about rock, a stodgy record that’s too busy using “real instruments” to do anything interesting with them.
    Read full review
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 28, 2022
    20
    Imagine the worst Good Charlotte song repeating “I fell in love with an emo girl” as a chorus. ... If anything, the more trap-infused tracks gracing the record’s back half fare better, solely because they aren’t direct copies of some of the most well-known pop punk songs of all time. Moreover, the extremely overblown production doesn’t achieve the same maximalism here, making for a comparatively listenable bunch of songs. Key word: comparatively.
    Read full review
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