mgk, fka Machine Gun Kelly releases ‘orpheus,’ a new single produced by BazeXX and SlimXX. The track blends pop-punk with Greek mythology on EST 19XX/Interscope. Listen, stream, buy the track, mp3 download.
American artist Machine Gun Kelly will release a new single titled “orpheus.” The track features production from his core collaborative team of BazeXX, Dark Waves, No Love For The Middle Child, and SlimXX. The release is set for arrival through his EST 19XX, LLC imprint under exclusive license to Interscope Records. This five-minute song represents one of his longer recent compositions, suggesting an expanded narrative or musical arrangement. Machine Gun Kelly, born Colson Baker, initially built a career in hip-hop with mixtapes and albums like “General Admission.” His deliberate pivot to pop-punk and rock music resulted in the commercially successful album “Tickets To My Downfall,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This shift, supported by producer Travis Barker, redefined his public persona and broadened his audience. His follow-up album “Mainstream Sellout” repeated this chart performance, solidifying his position within the modern rock landscape.
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The single “orpheus” indicates a continuation of his guitar-driven sound while introducing classical mythology as a lyrical framework. The title directly references the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, a musician who journeys to the underworld to retrieve his wife Eurydice. This choice suggests a thematic exploration of loss, devotion, and tragic narrative within his music. The production credits align with his established sound, pointing to a consistency in the instrumental palette of melodic punk and emotive rock. The release through his own label maintains his artistic control, a model he has employed since his genre transition. The partnership with Interscope Records provides the distribution and promotional machinery for a mainstream release.
Machine Gun Kelly’s career is marked by this kind of reinvention and public engagement. His earlier work in rap established a dedicated fanbase, while his rock material generated both critical and commercial results. The upcoming single follows a period where the artist has been active in film and fashion, maintaining a consistent public profile. A five-minute track allows for deeper lyrical development and potential musical departures compared to the more concise formats prevalent in his recent albums. For his audience, “orpheus” may signal a maturation in songwriting, using allegory to examine personal themes. The release strategy of a standalone single keeps his musical output active between larger projects. As an artist who synthesizes different genres and personal narrative, this track represents another step in mapping internal struggles onto a larger, almost archetypal story.
mgk – orpheus
Produced by BazeXX, Dark Waves, No Love For The Middle Child, SlimXX
August 8, 2025
1 song, 5 minutes
℗ 2025 EST 19XX, LLC, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
