Machine Gun Kelly may have just released the best pop punk album of the year and we are so pleasantly surprised.

After debuting his genre switch up last year with the single “why are you here,” the former rapper turned rockstar let fans know that his upcoming album would be the beginning of a new phase of his career. And while many were skeptical at first, Kelly quickly stifled all skeptics as he released the summer anthem “Bloody Valentine,” and several pop punk covers via YouTube that proved he was not only well versed in his alternative music but was also more than equipped to perform it. 

And today, after months of waiting, we were finally gifted with Kelly’s new album Tickets to My Downfall.

An artist who’s never been one to back down from a challenge (we all remember “Rap Devil”) and as someone who’s never been afraid to tackle on issues head on, it comes as no surprise that Tickets to My Downfall is one of Kelly’s most open and raw releases to date.

Tackling everything from his struggles with self harm and suicide attempts to drug abuse and falling in love, the album features a song for every mood, experience, and fear. Quite literally, Kelly sings that he is experiencing his “downfall,” and opens the “title track,” letting listeners know that his life is not as perfect and glamorous as fame makes it seem, which is a theme that consists through “drunk face,” “lonely,” and “WWIII.”

But where there is hurt there is also moments of joy, which is best expressed via the iconic rocking love song that has blown up since it’s release earlier this summer, “bloody valentine,” as well as the inclusion of interludes featuring conversations between Kelly and girlfriend Megan Fox as well as best friend Pete Davidson- giving fans a closer look into the musician’s personal life.

Kelly also features several other fellow famous friends on his new masterpiece, including Halsey on “forget me too,” Trippie Redd on “all I know,” blackbear on “my ex’s best friend,” and Iann Dior on “nothing inside.”

Ending the 15 song album on the track “play this when i’m gone,” the collection is wrapped up by Kelly telling his fans/friends/family that he is struggling, and wants them to be okay if anything should ever happen to him. Assumably the track is a message of love for his daughter, who is twelve years old and has had a large impact on Kelly’s battle to stay sober and safe.

A reminder that life is precious and should be appreciated and cherished while our loved ones are still here with us, the track is honest and gut wrenching, yet also a perfect way to wrap up an incredible album.

And though we cannot hear the album in person yet, Machine Gun Kelly will be performing the album in its entirety on October 1st for fans via a livestream that will feature Tickets To My Downfall producer and famed drummer Travis Barker. Tickets are available now here for both the new album show and a stream on October 8 of Kelly’s last album Hotel Diablo.

You can stream Tickets To My Downfall, now, wherever you stream music, and be sure to drop a comment below letting us know what you think of Machine Gun Kelly’s new sound.