Cassandra Fong
Machine Gun Kelly’s latest single, ‘vampire diaries’ from his album Lost Americana, is one of those tracks that tries to be deep, dark and mysterious. It’s packed with vampire metaphors, references to eternal youth and a mood that’s supposed to sound edgy and introspective.
For many listeners, the lyrics just come off as cringeworthy — cringe at best, awkward at worst. That being said, MGK’s undeniable talent as a performer and artist still shines through, even if this particular song feels like a misstep.
Music
First things first: musically, ‘vampire diaries’ is a mood. The beat is catchy, with a dark, gritty tone that fits perfectly with MGK’s rebellious persona. His vocal delivery is energetic and confident, giving the song a sense of urgency and attitude. The production value is high, with a mix that makes it sound slick and modern, perfect for blasting in the car or at a party.
Lyrics
Here’s where things get complicated. The lyrics are a mix of cheesy metaphors, vampire clichés and over-the-top imagery that makes you cringe inside. Lines like “I sleep against the bedroom wall / The sun comes out, and I can’t do nothing at all” try to evoke feelings of confinement and darkness, but they feel kind of cheesy and uninspired.
The song tries to paint mgk as a tortured soul living in the shadows, craving escape and embracing the darkness. However, the way he does it is where things go off the rails.
Lines like “I found the fountain of youth, it turns out it’s a curse” attempt to sound profound but come off as overdone and ridiculous. It’s like he’s trying to say something deep but ends up sounding like he’s reading from a vampire-themed teenage fanfiction.
So, is ‘vampire diaries’ a cringe-worthy song? Well, yes — in parts. The lyrics sometimes feel like they belong in a teenage goth’s playlist or a fanfiction story rather than a polished pop-rap song. The metaphors and imagery are often over-the-top and lack subtlety, which can make you roll your eyes.
Overall Thoughts
But here’s the thing: the song still sounds good. The music, the beat, MGK’s energetic delivery — they all come together to create a track that’s fun to listen to.
It’s dark, it’s catchy and it definitely has that MGK rebellious spirit. If you’re into moody, intense music with a gritty vibe, this song hits the mark musically.
That said, MGK’s charisma and energy help keep the song afloat, but his talent as an artist means he’s capable of better. Hopefully, future songs will ditch the cringe-worthy metaphors and focus on lyrics that are more authentic and meaningful. Until then, ‘vampire diaries’ remains a dark, stylised piece that’s more about the vibe than real depth — and that’s okay, as long as you’re aware of its cheesy, over-the-top nature.
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Featured image courtesy of Erik Drost on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

