The song debuted live on the nationally televised show Good Morning America on July 20, 2020, when
Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker) and drummer
Travis Barker performed the track.[1] The following day, Baker posted the clip to
social media and confirmed that the song would be the second single from his upcoming fifth studio album Tickets to My Downfall.[2] Multiple
music videos were released for the song. On August 5, an animated video was released, featuring Baker and Barker trying to escape from aliens, which eventually transitions to them playing a concert for the aliens.[3] A second video, directed by
Mod Sun, was released on August 13, 2020.[4][5] The video, make of
live action footage, alternates between footage of Baker and Barker performing the song in front of a crowd of aliens, and footage of Baker dressed up and acting silly in a variety of costumes, including a
game show host, an
actor, a
sailor, an
emo teenager, and a stereotypical "
villain" type character.[4][6][7] The video received 250,000 views in the first three hours of availability alone.[8]
Themes and composition
Publications generally described the song as
pop-punk.[3][6][9][10][11]Pitchfork called it a faithful homage to
Blink-182's Enema of the State.[12] Despite the song's upbeat sound and humorous video, Baker noted that the song was meant to have a serious message, serving as a
metaphor for the chaos and civil unrest present in the year 2020,[9] with the song lyrics making allusions to the
end of the world.[3][4]
Reception
AllMusic and Digital Journal considered the song a standout on Tickets to My Downfall.[13][14]Wall of Sound called it an "absolute fucking anthem."[10]Rock Sins called it a song
Simple Plan would be grateful to still be able to write.[11] Conversely, Sputnikmusic called the vocals overproduced and that Baker sings in a nasally baritone.[15]