“Mac Miller’s Balloonerism: A Deep Dive into Sound and Emotion”

Reviewed By: Marquis “Southside_Gunn” Harris

This project was ten years in the making. Balloonerism is essentially a byproduct of his Magnum Opus which is Faces. For those who are aren’t aware, a good portion of this project was leaked years ago, but even then, that doesn’t stop this project from sounding refreshing. It’s eerie given the subject matter and how Mac was able to be candid about not only his drug use, his depression and anxiety, but also his own mortality which was very relatable for a lot of listeners. The subject matter of him giving his life over to music, highlighting his dedication to be the very best, diving deep into his past and finding peace really separated him from his contemporaries.

This project on production alone is perfect. Because Mac was already experimenting with sounds, his projects GO:OD AM and Devine Feminine sound even more beautiful and flushed out seeing how this project was the bridge to his new and improved sound. The instrumentation was really crafted meticulously and those moments of production where you can hear someone like a Rick Rubin or a Delusion Thomas really emphasizes how deep in his bag Mac was.

The song structure was done so well and the overall tone of the album really hits and tugs at the emotions. If Faces was the foundation, then Balloonerism was the best brick to use to build the new Mac. Mac’s estate has handled this release with the upmost respect to him and his fans. Also, the short film to accompany this project, which is on Amazon Prime, really gives you a different perspective on how Mac himself viewed his own work.

If you have an hour, whether you’re a fan or not, you should take that time to listen to this project. This is a great way to show how Hip Hop can be expansive, thought provoking, emotionally charged and inspiring. This is flawless in every sense of the word.

Favorite Songs: The whole Damn thing!

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 **(10/10)**