Machine Gun Kelly fights his demons in “Hotel Diablo” (This review includes “Hotel Diablo: Floor 13 Edition”).

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. el Diablo

In “el Diablo,” Machine Gun Kelly tells us he’s unkillable, like Jason.

“El Diablo” is a trap banger in which Machine Gun Kelly takes aim at his adversaries and hoes who did him wrong. While I appreciate the energy he brings to the song, his confident bars truly shine. However, as he suggests in his second verse, Kelly might need a reality check if he believes he belongs in the same league as the greats.

4. Hollywood Whore

So, people complain about knowing Hollywood whores these days?

“Hollywood Whore” is intense. The explosive track is powered by a high-octane rock-hop beat with hard-hitting drums and emotional vibes. Over it, Machine Gun Kelly talks about his woes—fake friends, failed relationships, and haters—without holding back a single sentiment or insult. What I love about this song is that mgk doesn’t use his usual tongue-twisting flows or rapid-fire rapping; instead, he takes his time delivering his lines, ensuring we hear every single one.

3. Candy (Ft. Trippie Redd)

They ain’t talking about Skittles or Snickers here.

“Candy” embodies a bittersweet vibe in Machine Gun Kelly’s album journey. While the track shows some regression as he discusses taking addys and s**t, it stands out as the most enjoyable track on the project with its lively tempo, rebellious vocals, and extremely infectious hook. It also features a version of Trippie Redd that I particularly prefer (You know, the carefree version of Trippie that sounds like he doesn’t eat his vegetables).

2. Waste Love (Ft. Madison Beer)

How often did Megan Fox say “Amen” while listening to this track?

Machine Gun Kelly proves his versatility in “Waste Love,” where he switches gears from an edgy rapper to a heartfelt singer. Collaborating with Madison Beer, mgk delivers emotive vocals and intoxicating melodies, lamenting his shortcomings as a lover with raw honesty. The track builds tension with a dramatic back-and-forth that grips listeners, showcasing mgk’s ability to convey deep emotion through music.

1. Glass House (Ft. Naomi Wild)

This might be mgk’s best track to date.

“Glass House” delves deep into Machine Gun Kelly’s struggles to find happiness over the past few years. He also reflects on the untimely deaths of Nipsey Hussle, Mac Miller, and Lil Peep. What stands out is mgk’s raw honesty as he openly discusses his drug use, suicidal thoughts, and lost relationships. Honestly, I almost teared up listening to this joint.

Kudos to Naomi Wild, too. She gave a haunting vocal performance that struck a chord with me.

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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Sex Drive (N/A)

2. el diablo (5/5)

3. Hollywood Whore (5/5)

4. Glass House (5/5)

5. Burning Memories (Ft. Lil Skies) (3.5/5)

6. A Message From The Count (N/A)

7. Floor 13 (4/5)

8. Roulette (4/5)

9. Truck Norris (N/A)

10. Death In My Pocket (4.5/5)

11. Candy (Ft. Trippie Redd) (5/5)

12. Waste Love (Ft. Madison Beer) (5/5)

13. 5:3666 (4/5)

14. I Think I Am OK (4.5/5)

*15. El Pistolero (4/5)

*16. Bullets With Names (Ft. Young Thug, RJMrLA & Lil Duke) (3.5/5)

*17. FLOOR 13 – Live From Cleveland / August 13, 2022 (4/5)

*18. I Think I’m OKAY – Sad Version (4/5)

*19. Glass House – Sad Version (4/5)

*20. 5,3666 – v1 Demo (4/5)

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OVERALL RATING

(A-) (90%)

Hotel Diablo blends rock and rap music seamlessly, avoiding the pitfalls of overindulgence in either genre—a challenge mgk has faced in the past. Yet, what truly sets this album apart is its raw emotional depth.

After enduring a tumultuous period, especially last year, mgk seemed ready to embark on a healthier path in life. Hotel Diablo serves as his platform to confront past and present demons head-on. Throughout the album, mgk delves into themes of suicide, drug use, unreliable friends, and harsh critics, unflinchingly expressing his true emotions on each topic. Known for his rebellious spirit in the past, this album showcases a more honest and introspective side of mgk, where his thoughts are vivid and clear. While he doesn’t shy away from moments of raw intensity over dynamic instrumentals, the album strikes a more balanced and mature tone, moving away from his previous narrative of excess and recklessness without losing its edge.

Simply from a rap perspective, I was thoroughly impressed with mgk’s performance on Hotel Diablo. His verses were not only vivid and clear, as I mentioned earlier, but they also featured steady flows and clever wordplay. I’ve long considered mgk to be an underrated rapper, so I wasn’t surprised to see him excel in this aspect of the album.

I promise you that I am not being paid by Machine Gun Kelly’s camp (I also gave his previous album a fair rating). As I mentioned in my earlier review of Jaden’s album, I appreciate it when a musician showcases their artistic side. Hearing mgk’s artistic and vulnerable sides fully manifest on this album was incredibly intriguing to listen to.

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