Machine Gun Kelly, Bloody Valentine | Track Review 🎵

Machine Gun Kelly the ‘vocalist’ drops the throwback, “Blood Valentine,” set to appear on his forthcoming album, Tickets to My Downfall.

Machine Gun Kelly has always looked the part of a rock star – few will deny this.  That said, the Cleveland musician is best known for being a rapper… He’s managed some hits along the way, namely “Wild Boy” where he collaborated with Waka Flocka Flame.  That said, as a rapper, he hasn’t always ‘knocked it out of the park,’ but we could make that argument about many mainstream artists.  On “Bloody Valentine,” the rapper shifts from spitting bars to singing in a pop/rock, punk-pop style that’s definitely throwback…

Hearing Machine Gun Kelly sing isn’t surprising.  On his rap albums, we’ve heard him show his more melodic side.  Is it as compelling as his best rhymes? I’d say not, but won’t deny he can sing. On “Bloody Valentine,” the same aggression he typically exhibits as a rapper, he infuses into his singing.  The pros of “Blood Valentine” include the energy, intensity, and considering its ‘throwback’ sound, the production (Travis Barker). Hmm, with Travis Barker producing, it’s no wonder why “Bloody Valentine” sounds like a blink-182 record – just an observation.

“In my head, in my head / I’m callin’ you ‘girlfriend,’ what the fuck?” Machine Gun Kelly, who has showcased relationship and trust issues in the past, seems to be desiring more when it comes to relationships.  While he’s a bit apprehensive on “Bloody Valentine,” he also has feelings for her, and he’s willing to ‘let down his guard,’ and embrace whatever this experience may be.  The lyrics suggests a fun night more than concrete commitment.  The centerpiece, of course, is the chorus:

“I don’t do fake love
But I’ll take some from you tonight
I know I’ve got to go
But I might just miss the flight
I can’t stay forever, let’s play pretend
And treat this night like it’ll happen again
You’ll be my bloody valentine tonight.”

Final Thoughts

“Bloody Valentine” is definitely interesting.  It’s slated to appear on his forthcoming album Tickets to My Downfall.  There is speculation who this song is about, but I won’t dive into the pop cultural aspects.  From my perspective, I’m mixed on this record.  As aforementioned, this goes against the grain as far as the 2020 sound.  That’s okay, but I’m just not ‘sold on it’ per se.  The ideas Machine Gun Kelly explores are fair.  He seems to be blindly hooking up, and while he wants something more, he knows this is doomed from the start.  My guess is some will hate it, some will love it.  I’m somewhere in between.

Machine Gun Kelly • “Bloody Valentine” • Bad Boy / Interscope • Release: 5.1.20

Photo Credits: Bad Boy / Interscope