@colekincart

Last Thursday, Mk.gee took the stage at The Vic Theatre in Chicago as part of his 2024 world tour supporting his latest release, Two Star & the Dream Police. Having seen him earlier this year at Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City, I was eager to compare the intimate setting of a 300-person venue to the suprubness of The Vic, which holds around 1,500 people. His allure, particularly his high-brow blend of bedroom pop and soft rock, has garnered a solid following over the past year. All things said, his live performance revealed an undeniable dimension of grandeur, something that I wish was more evident in his studio recordings.

If you’ve been around online long enough, as I have, you might have first encountered Mk.gee when Frank Ocean played his track “You” on the 8th installment of Blonded Radio back in 2018. That moment was a quiet but significant introduction to Michael Gordon’s distinct style, blending alternative R&B and cashing in on the late 2010s rise of bedroom pop. Since then, he’s kept a relatively low profile, popping up on tours here and there and collaborating with some of his LA friends like Dijon. If you haven’t seen Dijon’s live performance of “Absolutely” on YouTube, I highly recommend checking it out—there’s even an Mk.gee feature worth noting.

In Salt Lake, softer tracks like “I Want” (now my most played song from the album) and “Breakthespell” had a spacious, almost breathy quality. But at The Vic, Mk.gee unleashed a thicker, more powerful sound, particularly on upbeat tracks like “Candy,” “Alesis,” and “Are You Looking Up.” It was gratifying as a fan to see both the quiet intimacy and the bolder, tighter energy of his work brought to life, adding depth to his artistry.
A highlight of the night was “DNM,” which has taken on a near-obsessive quality in his recent U.S. shows. Chicago was the second-to-last stop before Minneapolis, where the song exploded with intensity, getting played five times. His playful engagement with the audience and shredding guitar work made it feel like a shared, transcendent moment. Word on the street is Minneapolis got “DNM” 12 times!

“Alesis,” a personal favorite, was just as fun live, with scream-along lyrics like “Why me, or better why you.” Hearing it twice was a fitting way to cap off a stellar night.

Mk.gee’s latest album, Two Star & the Dream Police, dropped earlier this year, receiving buzz for its dreamy, genre-bending sound. Released in February 2024, the album blends elements of alternative R&B, soft rock, and bedroom pop, creating an atmospheric experience that feels both introspective and expansive. Fans and critics alike have praised its breezy compositions and rich textures, often commenting on the album’s ability to morph sounds into something timeless. Tracks like “I Want” and “Alesis” have resonated with listeners for their emotional depth and inventive production, while Mk.gee’s impressive guitar work has sparked countless discussions online, solidifying his reputation as an under-the-radar artist with major chops.

You can listen to Two Star & the Dream Police here!