Photo courtesy of Wall of Sound
On Friday, Feb. 12, MOD SUN released his latest record, “Internet Killed The Rockstar.” It’s his fourth studio album and his second project in 2021, as he co-wrote and co-directed Machine Gun Kelly’s “Downfalls High” movie which was released in January.
Three singles were released: “Karma,” “Bones” and “Flames (feat. Avril Lavigne).” Each single had cinematic music videos, but “Flames” brought a lot of firsts for the artist. It topped Spotify charts and was his first song to be heard and requested on the radio. In a post on his Instagram story, MOD SUN asked fans to call and request the track on Los Angeles’ KROQ, something he never thought he would be asking his fans.
The album consists of 11 songs and can be listened to in only 30 minutes. In a tweet before release day, MOD SUN said to fans, “PLEASE: everyone listen to the album front to back … it’s a story.” The first three tracks are the singles that were released. It can be a risky move having the singles as the first few tracks, but MOD SUN is trying to tell his listeners a story and in order for that story to make sense, one must listen to it in chronological order.
The fifth track, “Prayer,” is the album’s hidden gem. It’s a reflection of how drugs and money have led him down the wrong path in life. The song’s bridge goes on to say, “I gotta grow up because I didn’t die young. I finally stopped choking every breath I take. Let my best advice come from my worst mistake.” It’s his plea for listeners not to follow in his footsteps and realize that sobriety is possible.
The seventh track, “Smith” is a beautiful tribute to his deceased father. In the chorus, he sings “they’ll always be a room in my house, for you.” Anyone who has lost someone close to them will be able to relate to having a place for that person in your life, even when they’re gone.
The ninth track, “Annoying” is a modern love song about realizing you’re actually falling in love. The chorus goes, “I think I was born, for your eyes only. Never felt like this before and fuck it’s annoying.” It’s a refreshing take on how realizing your feelings for someone can be a whole new kind of territory and are sometimes really annoying.
The album’s titular and final track was the perfect way to end the record. In a tweet, MOD SUN said that it “is my favorite song I’ve ever made … came to me a dream, as cliché as it sounds, it really did. I woke up + captured it.” From the acoustic guitar to MOD SUN killing it on the drums, “Internet Killed The Rockstar” brings MOD SUN’s story to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, the album is a beautiful record that anyone can listen to no matter their taste in music. Both old and new fans of MOD SUN will enjoy it, as well as anyone who wants to listen to someone reflect on their life experiences. In another tweet he says, “I played the drums on every song on IKTR + that may have been the one thing missing the whole time. My return to drums, which was my first instrument + true love, it made all the difference … u can feel a whole other extra energy in these songs.”
Listeners can stream “Internet Killed The Rockstar” on all streaming platforms and the album can be purchased on digital platforms as well. MOD SUN also has merch dedicated to album available on his website.
