“Baloonerism” is Mac Miller’s seventh studio album and second posthumous album since his first one, “Circles”, in 2020. “Balloonerism” was released on Jan. 17 and has topped the charts in album sales and is number one across multiple Billboard charts. The album was recorded in 2014 but was shelved due to other releases. “Balloonerism” shows Miller’s life struggles with drug addiction. When Miller wrote the album in 2014, he was in a time where his chances of overdosing were most likely as he knew he could not control his addiction. The album takes on a deep atmosphere with the theme of Miller being high while reliving his life.
The album also released along with a short film with the same name as the album which follows a group of school friends that are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world. The film not only shows the surrealism, but also how the kids are to plod through the underbelly of adulthood through Miller’s music.
Lyrics: 9.5/10
The lyrics in the songs are truly deep and amazing. If you take a few listens to the album and dig deeper, it makes the album and songs much more sentimental. The song “DJ Chord Organ (ft. SZA)” opens to both of the singers Miller and SZA talking about trouble with their identity due to the struggle of drug addiction. With this struggle, it leads them to have a loss of sense of themselves and a mentally exhausted state. This song may not seem like much, but it makes the message throughout the album more powerful and gives the track this authenticity with the atmosphere and track.
Features: 9/10
Although the album only featured one artist, SZA, it has a meaning behind the one feature. Around the time “Balloonerism” was being recorded in 2014, Mac Miller produced two tracks on SZA’s third EP, ‘Z.’
In an interview with Mac Miller by Red Bull in 2014, he told them, “I don’t think this young lady knows how amazing she is.” Following Mac Miller’s death in 2018, SZA wrote and published a tribute referring to Miller as “The first person to believe in me.” This single feature shows the respect and appreciation SZA had for Mac Miller and the reason for her success in the industry.
Beats: 9/10
When it comes to Mac Miller and beats, it’s always going to be good. The beats in the songs are so unique and it brings this calm but upbeat feeling, like everything is going to be alright. It’s almost like a barbershop type of background music. My favorite song in this category is “5 Dollar Pony Rides”. It really brings the vibe when you listen to it. The beats are relaxing overall and it feels like listening to a Mac Miller song for the first time again.
Overall: 10/10
Listening to this album was a great experience, from the amazing lyrics, to the relaxing beats, and the way it was put together. Although the whole track and album was kind of dark, it showed some authenticity. Out of the other albums that Mac Miller published, “Balloonerism” was definitely unique as a whole. The album was basically Mac Miller’s autobiography but it was also a message for people who struggle with drug addiction and with life also. It leaves the listeners to depict what the album means to them. Mac Miller was able to bring that light into the battles that people faced and successfully did so. If you’re just finding out who Mac Miller is and you’re new to his music, I would recommend listening to his other albums, popular songs, or mixtapes that he made in the past, then you can start to slowly explore some of the songs.
