Malcolm McCormick’s estate released his second posthumous album, Balloonerism, last night. This was from the time period when he made FACES and was “off of this planet,” according to his own words looking back on that year. Mac Miller has been one of my favorite artists for a while now—not the snapback, Donald Trump, frat rap Mac Miller (though I can appreciate the fun of those days and that music), but the dark, depressing, existential-thinking Mac Miller.
Hopefully, my mom doesn’t see this, but I used to smoke marijuana. WEEWOOWEEWOOWEEWOO! My brother is probably on his way to my apartment, ready to drag me to the clink or rehab. But during the peak of my pot-smoking days with my “pot-smoking friends,” as my father would say, I dove headfirst into Mac Miller’s work. The introspective vision of an artist who experienced the rise of fame, the depression that comes with it, and the imbalance between thought and happiness with drug consumption—it was tragically beautiful.
Each album represents an era in Mac’s life, offering a spotlight into the reality of his situation and how he felt, with a vulnerable, cutthroat, brutally honest perspective. Anyway, this album is a vibe, and I recommend you give it a listen. Don’t put it on at tonight’s pregame or when you’re looking for a pick-me-up; instead, listen to it when you’re ready to step into the dark, twisted brilliance of Mac’s music.
“People start to get worse when they think that they’re the greatest.”
Rest in peace, Mac Miller.
Album score: 7.8/10 on the first listen—always subject to change.