Mac Miller’s long-awaited album, “Balloonerism,” was released this past month, generating extreme popularity and attention. The album consists of fourteen tracks and features other artists including SZA and an artist by the name of Delusional Thomas. “Balloonerism” was Miller’s second album release following his death is 2018. Though the album was just released, it was created several years ago in Miller’s home studio and encompasses many of Miller’s creative stamps that are present in other existing albums. The songs on the album hold immense meaning and paint pictures of Miller’s mental state at the time the album was recorded. Around the time the album was recorded, Miller was in a dark state in his life. The album is an introspection into his life and mental state at the time.
The album opens with an instrumental, “Tambourine Dream” that showcases the types of liberties that Miller took as an artist. The second track is “DJ’s Chord Organ,” featuring SZA. This track has generated much popularity for its ethereal tone and strategic layout, abundant layers, and musical creativity. SZA’s angelic vocals coupled with eccentric instrumentals make this track one of the most popular on the album.
The third track, titled “Do You Have a Destination?” is an introspective, fascinating track. The song is an inward question and dialogue with Miller himself, questioning his path and meaning in this life. For listeners and Mac Miller fans, the song serves as a looking glass into Miller’s thoughts years prior to his death. This album was recorded very near to the recording of Miller’s album, “Circles,” which is incredibly introspective and poetic. Both albums, due to the time in Miller’s life that they were recorded, are heavy, yet incredibly beautiful and relatable. In addition to this, Miller’s laid back, easy delivery is one of the reasons his music is so popular.
Another song that has generated an abundance of attention is the song titled “Funny Papers” paints the picture of the duality of life and death that are highlighted in the newspaper. The track highlights Miller’s ability to beautifully and seamlessly illustrate images in listeners minds while enjoying his music. Some reviews of the track mention the weight that the song has since Miller’s passing in 2018 as it contemplates life, death, and how close we are always to both. The song “Manakins” mirrors the same model, mentioning life, death, and figures that gracefully address the challenges of this life. Miller’s music has an incredible ability to infuse peace and a sense of playfulness in tracks that discuss incredibly difficult topics, especially around the idea of death and the world’s expectations. His music has a way to make his listeners feel
The tracks previously mentioned are just a few of fourteen that make up the entire album. The album can be streamed on all streaming services.
Sources:
https://www.xxlmag.com/mac-miller-balloonerism-album-details/
Sadie Blace is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at sadie.blace@und.edu.