You’ve heard him rap, you’ve heard him rock — and now, MGK is stepping into the world of rootsy folk with his brand-new album, Lost Americana.
A New Chapter in MGK’s Genre-Bending Career
Released on Friday (Aug. 8), the LP marks the first full-length Americana project from the artist formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly. It follows years of genre experimentation, from his early hip-hop releases to two chart-topping pop-punk albums, Tickets to My Downfall and Mainstream Sellout, both of which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The Bob Dylan Connection
Lost Americana arrives just two months after MGK teased the project with a cinematic trailer narrated by none other than Bob Dylan. In the June preview, the folk legend described the album as “a sonic map of forgotten places, a tribute to the spirit of reinvention and a quest to reclaim the essence of American freedom.” Dylan painted vivid imagery of “neon diners” and “motorcycle rumbles,” calling it music that thrives in “the in-between spaces where the past is reimagined and the future is forged on your own terms.”
Initially, fans weren’t sure if the voice in the trailer was truly Dylan’s. But days before the album’s release, MGK confirmed the collaboration on The Tonight Show. “To be honest, I have no idea how he even knows who I am,” MGK admitted with a laugh. “And I’m pretty sure that if I say the wrong thing I’ll mess it all up, so I’ll just shut up and accept whatever Bob Dylan throws my way.”
Singles and Sound
Led by standout tracks “Cliché,” “Vampire Diaries,” and “Miss Sunshine,” Lost Americana marks the seventh studio album of MGK’s career. True to form, the Cleveland native continues to push boundaries, blending styles in ways that spark both admiration and criticism.
MGK on His Refusal to Conform
In a recent interview with People, MGK addressed the backlash he often faces: “I choose to not stay contained into a societal box. I’ve realized they’re the conformists — you don’t even hate me for a reason that you can actually think of, because all I do is entertain, and entertainment can’t be that serious.”
With Lost Americana, MGK once again proves that he refuses to be defined by a single sound — and this time, he’s got Bob Dylan riding shotgun.