Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors, and Bebe Rexha join forces on “Home,” the third single issued ahead of soundtrack ‘Bright: The Album.’

What happens when you put Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors, and Bebe Rexha together? A collaboration of course, but not just any collaboration – a soundtrack collaboration.  Yes, “Home,” the third single released in advance of Bright: The Album, finds a rapper, alternative band, and up-and-coming pop star combining forces. Bright: The Album, of course, serves as the soundtrack for the upcoming film, Bright.  Closing out this forever-long intro, “Home” follows advance singles “Word Gone Mad” (Bastille) and “Darkside” (Ty Dolla $ign, Future, and Kiiara).

X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha take first blood, singing the thoughtful chorus.  Sam Harris kicks things off, as Rexha joins him on the second half of the chorus.

“Home / A place where I can go / To take this off my shoulders / Someone take me home.”

Machine Gun Kelly follows, rapping the first verse in uplifting fashion.  This isn’t far-removed from his own song, “At My Best.” Interestingly, on the pre-chorus, he switches to a more melodic, sung approach.  Harris and Rexha return on the extended chorus, which seems to arrive in a flash following the incredibly brief, pre-chorus. Kelly drops more ‘fight-through-the-adversity’ bars on the second verse, followed by another melodic pre-chorus, and a shorter chorus. Keeping the form interesting, a collaborative bridge between Harris and Rexha follows.

“I found no cure for the loneliness / I found no cure for the sickness / Nothing here feels like home / Crowded streets, but I’m all alone.”

Final Thoughts  

Predictably, an extended chorus concludes “Home.” Interestingly, both Harris and Rexha allow themselves to ‘let loose more.’  The song really needed this extra infusion of energy – it was missing that ‘extra special something.’  All in all, “Home” is respectable, but not game changing. This definitely sounds like a soundtrack cut as opposed to a more transcendent, stand-alone number.

Various Artists • Bright: The Album • Atlantic • Release: 12.15.17

Photo Credit: Atlantic