For all the media frenzy surrounding his name as of late, it was still surprising that Machine Gun Kelly’s first full-length foray into pop-punk on Tickets to My Downfall was somewhat competent, transforming the genre’s resurgence into the cultural conversation into a full-on, Travis Barker-backed movement with its chart success. But when you’re doing a … Continue reading Machine Gun Kelly – mainstream sellout
Pop Punk
Avril Lavigne – Love Sux
20 years since dropping her debut single “Complicated” on an unsuspecting public, pop-punk matriarch Avril Lavigne is back to finding success in pivoting from her downtempo, faith-oriented output in 2019 and whatever "Hello Kitty” was supposed to be back to the power chords of her youth. Linking up with Travis Barker on production, who signed … Continue reading Avril Lavigne – Love Sux
iann dior – on to better things
After scoring one of the biggest hits in recent memory with his feature (though arguably carrying the song) on 24kGoldn’s “Mood,” emo-rap star iann dior pushes things even further than before from his hip-hop roots into the pop-punk scene. While this might have been a more exciting move when his more innovative peers were riding … Continue reading iann dior – on to better things
jxdn – Tell Me About Tomorrow
Watching the growing ability for TikTok to catapult songs by essentially unknown artists into global hit singles over the past couple of years has been one of the most captivating musical trends. Now, the creators themselves are getting involved in things. With a track by social media superstar Bella Poarch dominating the charts at the … Continue reading jxdn – Tell Me About Tomorrow
Olivia Rodrigo – SOUR
While it seems like more and more teen stars are rising to popularity every day, it feels like it’s been a very long time since someone had the kind of overnight success and overwhelming support that 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo is currently experiencing. The closest comparison might be someone like Billie Eilish, but even she had … Continue reading Olivia Rodrigo – SOUR
Trippie Redd – Pegasus: Neon Shark vs Pegasus Presented By Travis Barker
Continuing the streaming-fueled trend of adding essentially an entire album onto an existing project as the deluxe version, emo-trap star Trippie Redd extends his already overstuffed Pegasus album to a ridiculous 40 songs in length. The difference this time is that the new project is far from more of the same – Redd has completely … Continue reading Trippie Redd – Pegasus: Neon Shark vs Pegasus Presented By Travis Barker
YUNGBLUD – weird!
Genre-blending UK punk rocker and outspoken voice for acceptance YUNGBLUD has been making more and more forays into the mainstream through his progressive messaging and brief high-profile relationship with Halsey. A truly disruptive force in the music industry, elevating his mixtures of alt-rock, hip-hop and pop punk with an anarchic flair for the dramatic, a … Continue reading YUNGBLUD – weird!
Machine Gun Kelly – Tickets To My Downfall
After fellow white rapper-turned-sadboi with a guitar G-Eazy’s album Everything’s Strange Here turned out even worse than anyone could have possibly imagined earlier this year, Machine Gun Kelly has arrived to prove that the idea doesn’t necessarily always result in complete failure. Teaming up with legendary drummer Travis Barker on every track and taking a … Continue reading Machine Gun Kelly – Tickets To My Downfall
5 Seconds of Summer – CALM
It’s been truly interesting to witness how a number of pop-punk’s figurehead bands from the earlier parts of last decade have managed to subtly change their sounds and adapt to the modern musical landscape as they see fit, keeping their ravenous fanbases around and still managing to pick up some new fans along the way. … Continue reading 5 Seconds of Summer – CALM
Rapid Fire Reviews (2 Chainz, Maren Morris, Juice WRLD)
2 Chainz - Rap Or Go To The League Usually one of the most cartoonish and comedic faces in rap, 2 Chainz’s fifth studio album Rap Or Go To The League – apparently executive produced by basketball star LeBron James – sees him dial the punchline bars back and address some more serious issues, all … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (2 Chainz, Maren Morris, Juice WRLD)
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 