Hubbry Logo
Mainstream SelloutMainstream SelloutMain
Open search
Mainstream Sellout
Community hub
Mainstream Sellout
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mainstream Sellout
Mainstream Sellout
Mainstream Sellout
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Mainstream Sellout
Original album cover[a]
Studio album by
Machine Gun Kelly
ReleasedMarch 25, 2022
GenrePop-punk[1][2]
Length40:18
Label
Producer
Machine Gun Kelly chronology
Tickets to My Downfall
(2020) 		Mainstream Sellout
(2022) 		Genre: Sadboy
(2024)
Physical edition cover
Life in Pink deluxe cover
Singles from Mainstream Sellout
  1. "Papercuts"
    Released: August 11, 2021
  2. "Emo Girl"
    Released: February 4, 2022
  3. "Ay!"
    Released: March 4, 2022
  4. "Maybe"
    Released: March 16, 2022
  5. "Make Up Sex"
    Released: April 26, 2022[3]
  6. "More than Life"
    Released: June 10, 2022

Mainstream Sellout is the sixth studio album by American musician and singer-songwriter Machine Gun Kelly, released on March 25, 2022, through Bad Boy Records and Interscope Records. It is his second collaborative project with drummer and producer Travis Barker, following 2020's Tickets to My Downfall. The album was initially announced in August 2021 under the title Born with Horns, before being renamed in January 2022.

A continuation of Kelly's transition into pop-punk, Mainstream Sellout was met with mixed reviews from critics. Kelly embarked on the Mainstream Sellout Tour throughout 2022 to promote the album.[4] A deluxe edition with six new tracks, subtitled "Life in Pink Deluxe", was released on June 24, 2022. The album was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]

Background

[edit]

The album was first announced on August 9, 2021,[6] where Kelly and collaborator Travis Barker revealed matching tattoos of the phrase "born with horns", the album's previous title.[7] Kelly announced that he and Barker were "back for round two", a reference to his fifth album Tickets to My Downfall, his first collaboration with Barker.[8] Barker returned to produce Mainstream Sellout.[9][10]

The album's lead single, "Papercuts", was released on August 11, 2021.[11][12][13] The accompanying music video was directed by Cole Bennett.[14][15] A 20-second teaser of a song was teased on Instagram prior to the album announcement: the post was captioned "Signed a deal; I got papercuts", which matched the lyrics in the clip.[16] Previews teased that he had shaved his head for the music video, though it was later revealed to be a bald cap.[13] The song has led journalists to believe he was continuing in the pop punk direction of Tickets to My Downfall.[17][12] The song addresses Kelly's struggles with his own fame.[18]

In October 2021, Kelly described the album as "darker" and more "guitar-heavy" than Tickets to My Downfall. He also hinted at a New Year's Day release date.[19] On January 31, 2022, Kelly announced that the album had been retitled to Mainstream Sellout.[20] On February 4, 2022, Kelly announced the release date of the album and released the second single "Emo Girl" featuring Willow.[21] On March 4, 2022, Kelly released the third single, "Ay!" with Lil Wayne.[22] On March 14, 2022, Kelly revealed the album cover and the tracklist using a series of Dolce & Gabbana designed clothing items that featured the song titles.[23] The album cover attracted comparisons to that of Japanese Breakfast's 2021 album Jubilee,[24] though Michelle Zauner denied the similarities, feeling the comparisons were manufactured to try to create controversy.[25] On March 16, 2022, after having performed "Maybe" during Emo Nite in Los Angeles,[26] Kelly released the track as the fourth single of the album. The song features the lead vocalist, Oliver Sykes, of British rock band Bring Me the Horizon.[27] The album was released on March 25, 2022.[28]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?4.9/10[29]
Metacritic55/100[30]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarHalf star[2]
Clash6/10[31]
The GuardianStarStarStar[32]
The IndependentStarStar[33]
Kerrang!StarStarStar[34]
NMEStarStarStarStar[1]
Pitchfork5.8/10[35]
Rolling StoneStarStarHalf star[36]
Sputnikmusic1.0/5[37]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 55 out of 100, which indicates "mixed or average reviews" based on 10 reviews.[38]

In a positive review, NME described the album as "no complacent victory lap" from Tickets to My Downfall, praising the album for having "a relatable sense of angst" that will "continue to speak to the millions who see Machine Gun Kelly as the saviour of punk rock", concluding that "though it inevitably lacks the shock of the new that made Downfall so exciting...it seems that, like the pop-punk revival itself, Machine Gun Kelly won't run out of steam any time soon."[1] AllMusic noted that while the music was filled with "big, distorted guitars, simplistic but catchy hooks, and Barker's tight, snappy drumming", they found it to be not as good as Tickets to My Downfall, with it being "lighter on ideas and cohesion".[2]

Charles Aaron of Rolling Stone named the tracks "evolving, not-very-joyful noise" while opining "his buzzsaw-bubblegum can be entertaining. But he needs to realize that 'introspective' songwriting is about more than just yelling about how much you suck."[39] Jesper L. of Sputnikmusic gave the album one out of five, ending his negative review stating that the album "proves that you don't need musical talent to make it big in the music scene".[37] Helen Brown of The Independent called the album "dull", "formulaic", and "the kind of thing you'd expect to hear in the Vans outlet of your local shopping mall".[40]

Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph opined that "the music hits you, not with a roar, but a very loud meh".[41] Jake Richardson of Kerrang! stated the album "is the weakest record of MGK's rock era so far", although he specifically pointed out "5150" as "MGK's rock dalliance at its most effective".[42]

Alim Kheraj of The Guardian named the record "entertaining but cliched".[43] Emily Swingle of Clash opined that the album was "a brash but ultimately shallow return" and that "it's a shame that Kelly couldn't release a follow-up equally as fresh and fluid", but did name "Sid & Nancy" and "Twin Flame" as standout tracks.[44] Arielle Gordon of Pitchfork wrote that "the enfant terrible of the pop-rock revival wades deeper into the genre, coming back with even less than before" and that it "too often feels like a concept album about rock."[45]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Mainstream Sellout debuted atop the US all-format Billboard 200 albums chart dated April 9, 2022, moving 93,000 album equivalent units. The figure includes 42,000 pure album sales, also making it the highest-selling album of the week. It is Kelly's second US number-one album.[46] In its following week the album dropped to number-nine, selling 30,500 units, figure includes 4,700 pure album sales.[47][48] At the end of June 2022, Kelly released the "Life in Pink" deluxe version, as well had released the vinyl copy of the album. Mainstream Sellout jumped to number-seventeen and accumulated 25,900 album units, 9,000 being pure album sales.[49] Mainstream Sellout entered at number-five on the Billboard Vinyl's chart.[50] In the following week it dropped to twenty-eight on the Billboard 200 selling just over 17,000 album units, 2,600 of which were pure album sales.[51]

After a close race in the United Kingdom, it debuted at number-two on the UK Albums Chart selling an estimated 210 units behind Michael Bublé eleventh studio album Higher,[52] and marked his highest LP debut in the United Kingdom, eclipsing his previous best Tickets to My Downfall which debuted at number-three.[53] Mainstream Sellout entered the UK's Official Vinyl Albums Chart debuting at number-nine, before falling off the chart in its following week. The album also re-entered the UK Albums Chart at number forty, before dropping to eighty-three.[54][55]

In Canada, the album debuted atop the Canadian Albums Chart for the chart dated 9 April 2022, becoming Kelly's consecutive number-one album in the country.[56] The album dropped to number-five in its following week.[56]

In Australia, it debuted atop the ARIA Albums Chart, becoming Kelly's first number-one album in the country.[57] Besting his previous 2020 album Tickets to My Downfall peak of number-two on the chart. In the albums following week it dropped seven chart positions to number-eight.[58]

Track listing

[edit]
Mainstream Sellout track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Born with Horns"
  • T. Barker
  • Long
2:27
2."God Save Me"
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • Brandon Allen
  • Stephen Basil
  • T. Barker
  • SlimXX
  • BazeXX
3:00
3."Maybe" (with Bring Me the Horizon)
  • T. Barker
  • SlimXX
  • BazeXX
  • Fedi
  • Long
2:50
4."Drug Dealer" (featuring Lil Wayne)
  • T. Barker
  • SlimXX
  • BazeXX
  • Fedi
  • Machine Gun Kelly
2:52
5."Wall of Fame (Interlude)"
 0:32
6."Mainstream Sellout"
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • T. Barker
  • Long
1:47
7."Make Up Sex" (with Blackbear)
  • T. Barker
  • Fedi
2:02
8."Emo Girl" (with Willow)
  • T. Barker
  • Long
2:39
9."5150"
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • T. Barker
  • Long
2:54
10."Papercuts" (album edit)
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • T. Barker
  • Long
3:01
11."WW4"
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • T. Barker
  • Long
1:12
12."Ay!" (with Lil Wayne)
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Allen
  • Basil
  • Gregory Hein
  • T. Barker
  • BazeXX
  • SlimXX
2:04
13."Fake Love Don't Last" (with Iann Dior)
2:23
14."Die in California" (featuring Gunna, Young Thug and Landon Barker)
  • T. Barker
  • Currie
3:27
15."Sid & Nancy"
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • Fedi
  • Strock
  • Morgoth Beatz
3:09
16."Twin Flame"
  • Baker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • Allen
  • Basil
  • Fedi
  • T. Barker
  • Long
  • Fedi
  • Machine Gun Kelly
3:59
Total length:40:18
Target and HMV edition bonus tracks[59]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Love Race" (featuring Kellin Quinn)
  • Barker
  • Gutstadt
  • Peters
3:08
Total length:43:16
Europe & Japan bonus tracks[60][61]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
18."Why Are You Here"
  • SlimXX
  • BazeXX
  • Machine Gun Kelly
2:55
Total length:46:11
Life in Pink deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."9 Lives"
  • T. Barker
  • Andrew Goldstein
  • Long
3:01
18."More than Life" (featuring Glaive)
  • Baker
  • Corey Sanders
  • glaive
  • Ichika Fukui
  • Steve Manovski
  • T. Barker
  • T. Barker
  • Ichika Fukui
  • Steve Manovski
3:15
19."Why Are You Here"
  • Baker
  • Long
  • Allen
  • Grace
  • JP Cappatelly
  • Basil
  • Baker
  • SlimXX
  • BazeXX
2:55
20."Last November"
  • Baker
  • Hein
  • Long
  • T. Barker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
2:54
21."Papercuts" (live from Red Rocks)
  • Baker
  • Long
  • T. Barker
  • T. Barker
  • Long
4:04
22."Maybe" (acoustic version) (with Bring Me the Horizon)
  • Baker
  • Allen
  • Long
  • Sykes
  • Fedi
  • Basil
  • T. Barker
T. Barker2:54
Total length:59:33

Notes

  • All tracks except for "WW4" are stylized in all lowercase.
  • "Wall of Fame (Interlude)" contains uncredited vocals from Pete Davidson.

Personnel

[edit]
  • Machine Gun Kelly – vocals (all), guitars (1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15), co-production (all)
  • Travis Barker – drums (1, 2, 4, 6–16), production (all)
  • Nick Long – guitars (all), production (1, 3, 6, 8–12, 15, 16)
  • Omer Fedi – guitars (13, 15, 16), production (4, 7, 13, 15, 16)
  • Steve Basil – bass (1, 2, 4, 6–16), keyboards (8, 12, 16)

Guest musicians

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Mainstream Sellout
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[94] Platinum 80,000‡
Hungary (MAHASZ)[95] Platinum 4,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[96] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[97] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mainstream Sellout

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
mainstream sellout is the sixth studio album by American musician Machine Gun Kelly (also stylized as mgk), released on March 25, 2022, through and . The album, executive produced by Blink-182 drummer , consists of 16 tracks and runs for approximately 40 minutes, continuing Kelly's exploration of following his 2020 breakthrough . The record features collaborations with artists including Bring Me the Horizon on "maybe", Willow on "Emo Girl", blackbear on "Make Up Sex", and Lil Wayne on "Drug Dealer", among others. Lead singles preceding the album included "Papercuts" in August 2021, "Emo Girl" in February 2022, and "Ay!" in March 2022, with "Twin Flame" serving as the closer. Upon release, mainstream sellout debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 93,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and marking Kelly's second consecutive chart-topping album after Tickets to My Downfall. It also reached number one in and the top ten in several other countries, including , , and the . Critically, the album received mixed reviews, with a Metascore of 55 out of 100 based on 11 publications, praised for its energetic production and honest lyrical themes addressing fame and authenticity but criticized for lacking the innovation and emotional depth of Kelly's prior work. The title reflects Kelly's response to accusations of "selling out" by embracing mainstream pop-punk, a motif explored in tracks like the title song and "Born with Horns".

Background and recording

Development and influences

The development of Mainstream Sellout began with a symbolic collaboration between Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who got matching arm tattoos reading "Born with Horns" on August 9, 2021, announcing the project's initial working title and their joint creative partnership. This tattoo session highlighted Barker's role as executive producer, building on their successful work together on MGK's previous album, Tickets to My Downfall (2020), which marked MGK's pivot to pop-punk. In January 2022, MGK changed the album's title to , a decision he shared in a video with Barker, embracing the term as a self-aware nod to criticisms of his commercial shift toward mainstream pop-punk while critiquing industry sellout culture. The recording sessions took place primarily over two months in late 2021 and early at studios in the area, where Barker emphasized a raw sound with three-chord structures, live guitar elements, and themes of , depression, and personal disillusionment. This process continued MGK's evolution from rap roots, incorporating influences from classic bands like Blink-182—evident in Barker's drumming style and production—and Green Day's melodic punk energy, positioning as MGK's second consecutive full-length in the genre. MGK's personal life significantly shaped the album's emotional depth, particularly his high-profile relationship with actress , which began in 2020 and inspired vulnerable lyrics exploring infatuation, commitment, and turmoil across tracks like "Twin Flame," where Fox even contributes a spoken-word interlude. Living together in with their blended family, MGK drew from this romance's intensity—marked by public displays of devotion and shared interests in —to infuse the record with raw, confessional tones that blended his rap heritage with pop-punk's angst.

Announcement and title changes

On August 9, 2021, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and announced MGK's upcoming sixth studio album via social media posts showcasing matching forearm tattoos reading "Born with Horns," signaling a continued pop-punk direction following the style of his 2020 album . The reveal, which included the release of the lead single "papercuts" on August 11, generated immediate excitement among fans and media, positioning the project as Barker's full executive production effort. Throughout late 2021, fan speculation intensified around the album's release timeline and content, fueled by MGK's festival performances where he delivered high-energy sets, such as at in , and teases in s about evolving further from his rap origins. Media coverage highlighted MGK's discussions of the shift, including a where he described Born with Horns as "more guitar-heavy" than prior work, building anticipation amid rumors of a possible early 2022 drop. On January 31, 2022, MGK revealed a change to Mainstream Sellout in a video confessing the update to Barker, framing it as an ironic embrace of critics' "sellout" label for his mainstream pivot and commercial success. The shift addressed evolving themes of fame and authenticity, with MGK later explaining in interviews that the title reflected owning accusations of chasing broader appeal while staying true to his artistic risks.

Music and lyrics

Genre and production style

Mainstream Sellout is predominantly a album characterized by energy, featuring power chords, fast tempos, and driving rhythms that evoke the genre's high-octane style. Produced primarily by , the album employs live drum tracking to deliver thunderous, propulsive beats reminiscent of Blink-182's signature sound, with guitar-heavy mixes emphasizing distorted riffs and urgent instrumentation. Barker's production choices include drop-D tunings and jagged, three-chord solos that contribute to the record's raw, adolescent edge, while polished mixing by ensures broad radio appeal without sacrificing the genre's snotty aggression. The album incorporates emo and alternative rock elements, such as anthemic choruses and brooding atmospheres, which add emotional depth to its buoyant energy. Guest features from artists like Willow on "Emo Girl" and Machine Gun Kelly's collaborations with rock-leaning performers enhance the album's credibility within the pop-punk revival, blending hook-driven melodies with arena-sized ambition. Specific production techniques highlight high-energy distortion on tracks like the title track "mainstream sellout," where snarling guitars and rapid-fire drums create a sense of urgency, contrasting with acoustic intros on more introspective ballads that provide dynamic shifts in tempo and texture. Overall, Mainstream Sellout draws comparisons to the 2000s pop-punk revival, positioning Barker's Blink-182-inspired beats as the core rhythmic foundation that propels the album's fast-paced, rebellious sound. This approach, executed through late-night jamming sessions and hybrid rock elements like subtle 808 integrations, results in quick, catchy songs that prioritize feel-good momentum while nodding to the era's mall-punk predecessors.

Themes and songwriting

The album Mainstream Sellout centers on themes of fame's pitfalls, self-doubt, and the ironic pursuit of mainstream success, often framed as a deliberate "sellout" to critique industry authenticity. In the title track, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) addresses accusations of inauthenticity in Hollywood while mocking gatekeeping from rock purists, with like "I heard the feedback, I'm a poser / With a guitar and a ." This self-aware irony underscores the album's exploration of scrutiny and the pressures of commercial viability. Personal vulnerability permeates the lyrics, particularly in tracks addressing tumultuous relationships, mental health struggles, and MGK's shift from rap to rock. Songs like "Make Up Sex" (featuring blackbear) and "Twin Flame" delve into and emotional dependency, the latter incorporating a voice recording from partner to blend heartbreak with raw intimacy. is confronted head-on in "God Save Me," where MGK confesses to attempts amid media frenzy, and in "5150," which references California's psychiatric hold law (Section 5150) to depict . The track "Papercuts" reflects his genre transition, likening it to Kanye West's with lines such as "Y’all said that I switched genres / I saw the limit and took it farther," highlighting an rooted in his rap origins. References to loss in the lyrics, such as the "dead father" in "Papercuts," are metaphorical, reflecting estrangement rather than literal at the time of writing (MGK's father passed away in 2024). MGK's songwriting approach is notably collaborative, with producer Travis Barker contributing to song structures and earning writing credits on multiple tracks, alongside input from guest artists like Willow on "Emo Girl." This method employs direct, confessional language to convey angst and bravado, paired with catchy pop-punk hooks for broad accessibility. Tracks like "Emo Girl" exemplify this evolution from his earlier rap persona, blending 2000s nostalgia with themes of outsider identity and emotional turmoil to bridge his past and present selves. The production style amplifies the urgency of these lyrics, enhancing their emotional impact through dynamic riffs and rhythms.

Release and promotion

Singles and artwork

The lead single from Mainstream Sellout, "papercuts", was released on August 11, 2021, and peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The track's accompanying music video, directed by Cole Bennett, features a surreal, psychedelic narrative depicting Machine Gun Kelly navigating a chaotic environment symbolizing media scrutiny and personal turmoil, aligning with the song's themes of feeling alienated by public perception. Subsequent singles built anticipation for the album's March 25, 2022, release. "emo girl" featuring was issued on February 4, 2022, reaching number 77 on the Hot 100. "ay!" with followed on March 4, 2022, charting at number 82 on the Hot 100. "maybe" featuring arrived on March 16, 2022, and debuted at number 1 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles chart while peaking at number 6 on the US chart. Later, "make up sex" with Blackbear was released as a single on April 26, 2022, following its initial album appearance, and topped the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. The original album artwork, revealed on March 14, 2022, was a self-portrait by Machine Gun Kelly showcasing his signature pink hair and aesthetic against a vibrant pink background, evoking a playful yet ironic commentary on fame and reinvention. An alternative cover for the Target exclusive edition, featuring revised imagery with a more subdued tone and additional graphic elements, became the new standard digital artwork on March 29, 2024. Promotion for the singles emphasized the album's revival through official directed by high-profile collaborators, widespread radio airplay on alternative and rock stations, and viral challenges that encouraged fans to recreate emo-inspired looks and lip-sync the tracks' anthemic choruses. These efforts highlighted the singles' nostalgic nods to early punk energy while integrating modern hip-hop elements.

Deluxe edition and marketing

On June 24, 2022, a deluxe edition of Mainstream Sellout subtitled Life in Pink was released through and , adding six new tracks to the original 16-song lineup. These included "9 Lives", "More Than Life" (featuring ), "Why Are You Here", "Last November", "Fake Love Don't Last" (featuring ), and "Misery Business" (a cover of Paramore's song featuring ), which further explored themes of personal struggle and relationships in a pop-punk style. The expanded release aimed to extend the album's momentum following its chart-topping debut earlier that year. Marketing efforts for Mainstream Sellout leaned into the album's ironic title, embracing accusations of through targeted merchandise and digital campaigns. Pink-themed apparel, such as T-shirts featuring the album's cracked portrait artwork and laser-eyed imagery of Machine Gun Kelly, was prominently sold via partnerships with retailers like , aligning with the record's vibrant, satirical aesthetic. Promotional strategies on official channels mocked the "sellout" narrative by highlighting the album's genre-blending as a deliberate artistic choice, building on the buzz from pre-release singles. The album's nomination for Best at the in 2023 provided additional promotional leverage, with Machine Gun Kelly publicly acknowledging the recognition as validation of the project's impact during ongoing media appearances and updates. This accolade helped sustain interest amid various retail variants, including colored vinyl editions that maintained visual consistency with the original pink-dominated .

Mainstream Sellout Tour

The Mainstream Sellout Tour was a concert tour by American musician Machine Gun Kelly in support of his sixth studio album, Mainstream Sellout. It commenced on June 8, 2022, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and concluded on October 12, 2022, at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands, encompassing 52 shows across North America (38 dates) and Europe (14 dates). Support acts varied by tour leg and included Blackbear, Iann Dior, Avril Lavigne, PVRIS, Trippie Redd, Willow, 44phantom, and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who performed select dates and contributed to the pop-punk atmosphere. The setlist prominently featured tracks from Mainstream Sellout, such as the title track and "Emo Girl," alongside earlier hits like "Bloody Valentine" and "My Ex's Best Friend"; performances incorporated pyrotechnics, stage dives, and direct crowd interaction to amplify the high-energy pop-punk vibe. Financially, the tour generated a box office gross of $33.68 million, with numerous sold-out venues, including the homecoming show on August 13, 2022, at Stadium, which drew over 50,000 attendees and marked the end of the North American leg.

Concert film and legacy events

The Mainstream Sellout Live from Cleveland: The Pink Era, directed by Sam Cahill, was released for digital purchase and rental on Apple TV and on January 1, 2025. It captures Machine Gun Kelly's 2022 homecoming performance at Cleveland's Stadium during the , featuring the full setlist with high-energy visuals, guest appearances by artists such as , and elaborate stage production that drew over 50,000 attendees. The extends beyond the concert footage to include segments showcasing tour production challenges, artist preparations, and intimate fan interactions, while emphasizing the album's signature aesthetic through vibrant lighting and set design. These elements provide a look at the tour's cultural impact, coinciding with MGK's shift toward in subsequent releases like Lost Americana (2025). No major album re-releases or extensions have occurred since the 2022 tour, positioning the 2025 film as a key milestone in preserving its legacy. Legacy events tied to Mainstream Sellout have been limited but notable, including festival appearances in where MGK revisited tracks such as "concert for aliens" and "drunk face" at venues like Cheyenne Frontier Days and the . Additionally, MGK Day in , held August 9–13, featured an exclusive screening of the , charity events, and a performance incorporating album songs like "maybe," celebrating the rapper's hometown roots and the tour's enduring fanbase.

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in March 2022, Mainstream Sellout received mixed reviews from music critics, earning a score of 55 out of 100 based on 11 reviews, which reflected divided opinions on its execution. Positive assessments highlighted the album's energetic delivery and emotional rawness. awarded it four out of five stars, commending its "surprisingly vulnerable" lyrics, raw angst in tracks like "God Save Me," and high-energy anthems that captured outsider frustration with joyful intensity. Kerrang! gave it three out of five stars, praising the impactful guest appearances—such as Willow on "Emo Girl" and Bring Me the Horizon's on "Maybe"—for adding dynamism and sleek production flair to the sound. Critics on the negative side found the record formulaic and underdeveloped. Rolling Stone described it as a "self-hating celebrity pop-punk purge," critiquing its reliance on buzzsaw-guitar clichés and lack of fresh depth beyond entertaining surface-level hooks. The Guardian rated it three out of five stars, noting its fun evocation of early-2000s punk-pop but faulting the over-reliance on nostalgic tropes without meaningful innovation in songcraft. Across reviews, the polished production—largely credited to —was commonly praised for its tight, radio-ready sheen that amplified the album's reckless vibe. However, many faulted the lyrics for superficial treatment of fame and selling-out themes, often viewing them as self-indulgent complaints rather than insightful commentary.

Accolades and retrospective analysis

Mainstream Sellout received a for Best Rock Album at the in 2023, marking Machine Gun Kelly's first in the rock category after a decade-long career primarily in hip-hop. The album did not win, with Ozzy Osbourne's taking the award. This recognition highlighted MGK's successful pivot to , providing personal closure as he reflected on his artistic evolution. In retrospective assessments, the album is viewed as a key entry in the early 2020s revival, building on MGK's prior work by blending punk energy with mainstream accessibility, though it faced criticism for formulaic elements. The 2023 Mainstream Sellout Live From : The Pink Era, documenting the homecoming show of the supporting tour, captured this era's intensity and earned strong audience approval, underscoring the project's enduring appeal among fans.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Mainstream Sellout debuted at number one on the US chart for the week ending April 9, 2022, marking Machine Gun Kelly's second consecutive number-one album following . The album also topped the Top Rock Albums chart upon release, underscoring its strong performance within the rock genre. Internationally, it achieved number one on the Canadian Albums Chart and the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, representing Machine Gun Kelly's first chart-topping album in . In the , the album entered the Official Albums Chart at number two, behind Michael Bublé's Higher, and spent a total of eight weeks on the chart. Across , it reached the top ten in several countries, including number three in and number seven in Ireland. The album's chart longevity included 20 weeks on the , reflecting sustained interest through streaming and fan engagement. It ranked at number 121 on the year-end chart for 2022 and number 42 on the year-end albums chart for the same year. Post-release, the album's visibility was bolstered by the 2023 deluxe edition and the , leading to re-entries on various international charts in 2023, particularly in rock and alternative categories driven by streaming growth. The deluxe edition, released on June 24, 2022, contributed to sustained performance.
Chart (2022)Peak Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)1
Canadian Albums (Billboard)1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)3
Irish Albums (IRMA)7
UK Albums (OCC)2
US Billboard 2001
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)1

Sales certifications and updates

"Mainstream Sellout" achieved Gold certification from the (RIAA) on August 31, 2023, denoting 500,000 album-equivalent units in the , but has not reached Platinum status as of November 2025. In Canada, the album was awarded Platinum certification by in 2023 for sales exceeding 80,000 units, reflecting strong regional performance. The (BPI) certified it Silver on October 21, 2022, equivalent to 60,000 units in the . Globally, "Mainstream Sellout" surpassed 1 million album-equivalent units shipped by , incorporating physical sales, downloads, and streaming equivalents across major markets. Updates in 2025 confirm ongoing digital momentum, with sustained streaming activity on platforms like contributing to its long-term commercial viability.

Credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Mainstream Sellout consists of 16 tracks with a total runtime of 40:10. The album was executive produced by , with production primarily handled by Barker alongside , BazeXX, and others across tracks. No samples are noted in the track credits.
No.TitleFeatured artist(s)LengthWriter(s)Producer(s)
1"Born with Horns"2:28Colson Baker, , ,
2"God Save Me"3:01Colson Baker, Aaron Bow, Modesto FernandezBazeXX, SlimXX
3"Maybe"2:51Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, Jordan Fish, Matthew Kean, Lee Malia, Oliver Sykes, Dark Waves, BazeXX, ,
4"Drug Dealer"2:53Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, Dwayne Carter, BazeXX, ,
5"Wall of Fame (Interlude)"0:33Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, ,
6"Mainstream Sellout"1:48Colson Baker, ,
7"Make Up Sex"blackbear2:03Colson Baker, Matthew Tyler Musto, Nicholas Furlong, , , Machine Gun Kelly
8"Emo Girl"2:40Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, , Willow Smith, , Machine Gun Kelly
9"5150"2:55Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, ,
10"Papercuts (Album Edit)"3:02Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, ,
11"WW4"1:13Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, ,
12"Ay!"2:05Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, Dwayne Carter, ,
13"Fake Love Don't Last"2:24Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, Michael Olmo, ,
14"Die in California"Gunna, Young Thug3:28Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, , Modesto Fernandez, Sergio Kitchens, Jeffery Williams, , L-Jay Currie
15"Sid & Nancy"3:10Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, ,
16"Twin Flame"4:00Colson Baker, Nicholas Furlong, ,
The "Life in Pink" deluxe edition, released on June 24, 2022, expands the album to 22 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 59 minutes, adding four new songs at the beginning, followed by the standard tracks, and two live/acoustic versions at the end. The additional tracks include "9 Lives" (3:01, writers: Colson Baker, Aaron Bow, Modesto Fernandez; producers: BazeXX, Machine Gun Kelly), "More Than Life" feat. glaive (3:16, writers: Colson Baker, Aaron Bow, Harvey Blumers Jr., Modesto Fernandez; producers: BazeXX, Machine Gun Kelly), "Why Are You Here" (2:57, writers: Colson Baker, Aaron Bow; producers: BazeXX, Machine Gun Kelly), and "Last November" (2:55, writers: Colson Baker, Aaron Bow, Modesto Fernandez; producers: BazeXX, Machine Gun Kelly), followed by the standard tracks, then "Papercuts (Live from Red Rocks)" (4:05, live recording) and "Maybe (Acoustic Version)" feat. Bring Me the Horizon (2:25, acoustic arrangement). There are no regional variations in the track listings across editions. A 2024 Target exclusive edition includes the standard tracks on CD or vinyl accompanied by a bonus digital booklet with artwork and notes.

Personnel

Machine Gun Kelly, born Colson Baker, served as the lead artist on Mainstream Sellout, providing lead vocals throughout the album and contributing guitar on select tracks such as "Twin Flame" and "Sid & Nancy". Travis Barker acted as for the entire album and played drums on all tracks, while also serving as primary producer alongside collaborators including (co-producer on tracks like "born with horns," "mainstream sellout," and "papercuts"), BazeXX and SlimXX (producers on "god save me" and "ay!"), (producer on multiple tracks including "drug dealer" and "fake love don’t last"), and others such as and KBeaZy for specific songs. Guest artists included Willow on vocals for "emo girl," Lil Wayne delivering rap verses on "drug dealer" and "ay!," Bring Me the Horizon providing vocals on "maybe," blackbear contributing vocals to "make up sex," Iann Dior on "fake love don't last," Gunna and Young Thug on "die in california," and Pete Davidson on "wall of fame (interlude)." Additional musicians featured Nick Long on guitar for numerous tracks including "god save me," "maybe," and "5150," Omer Fedi on guitar for "fake love don’t last" and "sid & nancy," Ryan Tedder on guitar and background vocals for "fake love don’t last," and Landon Barker as producer and choir vocals on "die in california." Technical staff encompassed mixing engineers such as Adam Hawkins (for tracks like "born with horns" and "twin flame"), Serban Ghenea (for "drug dealer," "make up sex," and "fake love don’t last"), and A ‘BAINZ’ Bains (for "ay!" and "die in california"); recording engineers including Bryce Bordone, K Thrash, and others; and mastering engineer Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound. A&R direction was handled by Danny Herrie, Irvin Whitlow, Jeanne Venton, and Nick Groff, with art direction by Chloe Scheffe and Natalie Shields, artwork by Tessa Tinglof, and photography by Mark Seliger.

References

  1. https://genius.com/albums/Mgk/Mainstream-sellout
  2. https://www.amazon.com/mainstream-sellout-Machine-Gun-Kelly/dp/B09RPX2LQP
  3. https://music.apple.com/us/album/mainstream-sellout/1608118564
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/04/arts/music/machine-gun-kelly-billboard-chart.html
  5. https://store.machinegunkelly.com/products/mainstream-sellout-vinyl
  6. https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/machine-gun-kellys-born-with-horns-release-date-tracklist
  7. https://news.iheart.com/content/2022-02-06-machine-gun-kelly-reveals-mainstream-sellout-release-date/
  8. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-five-burning-questions-1235055521/
  9. https://www.universalmusic.ca/press-releases/machine-gun-kellys-sixth-studio-album-mainstream-sellout-debuts-at-1-in-canada/
  10. https://www.1057thepoint.com/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-celebrates-mainstream-sellouts-international-success/
  11. https://www.metacritic.com/music/mainstream-sellout/machine-gun-kelly
  12. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout/
  13. https://variety.com/2022/music/news/machine-gun-kelly-album-title-tattoo-1235167992/
  14. https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-travis-barker-born-with-horns-28657/
  15. https://people.com/style/machine-gun-kelly-changes-album-name-after-matching-tattoos-travis-barker/
  16. https://www.billboard.com/music/features/machine-gun-kelly-billboard-cover-story-2022-interview-1235047603/
  17. https://loudwire.com/machine-gun-kelly-elitist-genre-gatekeepers-always-lose/
  18. https://hypebae.com/2022/3/machine-gun-kelly-megan-fox-twin-flame-vulnerable-song-music-mainstream-sellout-feature-phone-call-recording-dedication-lyrics
  19. https://www.spin.com/2021/08/machine-gun-kelly-travis-barker-born-with-horns/
  20. https://pagesix.com/2021/08/09/machine-gun-kelly-travis-barker-announce-new-album-with-tattoos/
  21. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/machine-gun-kelly-shares-papercuts-off-new-album-with-travis-barker-born-with-horns/
  22. https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/music/acl-fest/2021/10/01/acl-fest-lineup-2021-weekend-1-machine-gun-kelly/5919493001/
  23. https://variety.com/2021/music/news/machine-gun-tickets-to-my-downfall-grammys-pop-punk-1235094802/
  24. https://www.kerrang.com/machine-gun-kelly-says-new-album-born-with-horns-is-more-guitar-heavy
  25. https://www.altpress.com/machine-gun-kelly-two-albums-2022-born-with-horns/
  26. https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-machine-gun-kelly-confess-new-album-title-change-to-travis-barker-3150769
  27. https://loudwire.com/machine-gun-kelly-pop-punk-success-earned-interview-mainstream-sellout/
  28. https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-review-3188712
  29. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/25/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-review-absurd-cliches-fun
  30. https://www.bupipedream.com/ac/machine-gun-kellys-mainstream-sellout-album-tackles-deep-themes/126505/
  31. https://genius.com/Mgk-papercuts-album-edit-lyrics
  32. https://www.billboard.com/music/features/travis-barker-billboard-digital-cover-story-2022-interview-1235056257/
  33. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Papercuts_%28Machine_Gun_Kelly_song%29
  34. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-cole-bennett-papercuts-clip-9613202/
  35. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/machine-gun-kelly-willow-emo-girl-1235027325/
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwowRNLw8Fg
  37. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/machine-gun-kelly/ay
  38. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-tracklist-album-art/
  39. https://www.target.com/p/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-target-exclusive-vinyl/-/A-85906932
  40. https://www.reddit.com/r/MachineGunKelly/comments/1bre4yw/they_changed_the_mainstream_sellout_cover_art/
  41. https://loudwire.com/machine-gun-kelly-details-mainstream-sellout-album-artwork-track-list-guests/
  42. https://www.1057thepoint.com/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-dropping-deluxe-mainstream-sellout-album-friday/
  43. https://www.amazon.com/mainstream-sellout-life-deluxe-Clean/dp/B0B4FK8B39
  44. https://www.hottopic.com/product/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-cracked-portrait-t-shirt/18439588.html
  45. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/machine-gun-kelly-new-album-title-mainstream-sellout-tattoo-1235025409/
  46. https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list
  47. https://interscope.com/collections/mgk/products/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-grey-vinyl
  48. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-arena-tour-dates-1235046387/
  49. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-tour-dates-1324436/
  50. https://www.nme.com/news/music/machine-gun-kelly-announces-huge-us-uk-and-european-mainstream-sellout-tour-tickets-3186606/
  51. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mgk/2022/firstenergy-stadium-cleveland-oh-2bb3fc1a.html
  52. https://www.consequence.net/2022/06/machine-gun-kelly-concert-2022-tour-photos-setlist/
  53. https://loudwire.com/machine-gun-kelly-firstenergy-stadium-cleveland-show-photos/
  54. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/mainstream-sellout-live-from-cleveland-the-pink-era
  55. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-concert-theaters-1235301682/
  56. https://grammy.com/news/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-tour-cleveland-firstenergy-stadium-show-recap-highlights-zipline-video-photos-review
  57. https://www.universalmusic.ca/press-releases/machine-gun-kellys-mainstream-sellout-live-from-cleveland-the-pink-era-coming-to-movie-theaters-worldwide-saturday-may-13/
  58. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/machine-gun-kelly-new-album-lost-americana-listen-1236039129/
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27684092/
  60. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mgk/2024/cheyenne-frontier-days-arena-cheyenne-wy-43545b43.html
  61. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2024/08/mgk-day-takes-over-cleveland-with-events-with-fans-and-big-name-guest-stars-photos.html
  62. https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2024-08-07/lace-up-for-a-mainstream-sellout-machine-gun-kelly-returns-to-cleveland
  63. https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout
  64. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-1324683/
  65. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/25/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-review
  66. https://www.etonline.com/machine-gun-kelly-finds-closure-with-first-grammy-nomination-after-10-years-exclusive-194481
  67. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-billboard-200-albums-chart-1235054057/
  68. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/machine-gun-kelly-australia-chart-mainstream-sellout-1235053404/
  69. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout/
  70. http://www.irish-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Machine%2BGun%2BKelly&titel=Mainstream%2BSellout&cat=a
  71. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Machine+Gun+Kelly&ti=Mainstream+Sellout#search_section
  72. https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/
  73. https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/251745-2022-bpi-certifications/
  74. https://chartmasters.org/artist/?id=6TIYQ3jFPwQSRmorSezPxX
  75. https://musicbrainz.org/release/4d9ca7fc-bf6f-4d19-8a58-169a30aea009
  76. https://genius.com/Mgk-mainstream-sellout-lyrics
  77. https://www.target.com/p/machine-gun-kelly-mainstream-sellout-target-exclusive-cd/-/A-86343709
  78. https://music.apple.com/us/album/mainstream-sellout-life-in-pink-deluxe/1630495727
  79. https://www.discogs.com/release/22686023-Machine-Gun-Kelly-Mainstream-Sellout
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.