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Hip-hop icon Mac Miller’s first posthumous album, “Circles,” was released in 2020, two years after his death. Now, Miller’s estate, in collaboration with his record label, Warner Bros. Records, offers fans another look into the artistry of the one-of-a-kind musician with the release of his second posthumous album, “Balloonerism.”

Miller’s seventh studio album, “Balloonerism,” dropped Friday. The collection was largely created over a decade ago, alongside “GO:OD AM” and “Watching Movies with the Sound Off.” Originally slated for a 2014 release, it was ultimately set aside as Miller prioritized other projects.

The album’s 14 tracks run just shy of an hour. Its teased single “5 Dollar Pony Rides” sparked interest within the music community. Announced collaborations with R&B star SZA and renowned producer Thundercat further grew the public’s anticipation for the album. The LP provides an intimate lens into Miller’s life, particularly his struggles with substance abuse.

Miller was known for experimenting with a wide range of subgenres throughout his discography, blending jazz and R&B with hip-hop and rap. “Balloonerism,” however, leans heavily into a spacey, psychedelic sound, capturing the essence of a drug-fueled trip.

The album opens with “Tambourine Dream,” an instrumental that embodies this tone. It’s Miller’s first instrumental intro since “Macadelic” in 2012. Isolated tambourine sounds signal that this album will be much different from previous ones. The haunting simplicity sets the stage for the rest of the collection.

The album portrays drug use and its impact on Miller’s life throughout, with many bars referencing his struggles and morbid curiosity. In the track “Do You Have A Destination?,” Miller raps:

“I gave my life to this sh*t, already killed myself / Need to let the drugs go, tryna find heaven, I get high but never come close.”

The fifth track, “Friendly Hallucinations,” delves into Miller’s distorted view of reality. It explores how self-medication affected his ability to find happiness while awake and discern reality from fiction while asleep.

“It’s only real, if it’s real to you” is repeated at the end of the track, highlighting Miller’s struggle to distinguish objective reality from these subjective hallucinations.

Sophia Burke | Design Editor

On track nine, “Funny Papers,” Miller reflects on his search for purpose. He uses metaphorical anecdotes to draw parallels to his own struggles, like a child being born and questioning the point of the world’s darkness. Miller weaves in commentary on the negativity in the world and his endless search for peace.

The introspection deepens on “Excelsior,” the tenth track, which begins with sounds of children playing on a playground. This imagery symbolizes a time of innocence and joy in Miller’s life. The title references his childhood fascination with magic and spells, and his dream of eventually becoming a wizard.

Though the entire album is driven by psychedelic influences, “Transformations” epitomizes this aesthetic. The track is led by a spiraling piano melody, with Miller’s voice shifting between high-pitched squeaks and slowed, slurred tones. The song emulates the climax of a trip.

After this intense moment, the album arrives at “Rick’s Piano,” a slow and deeply personal track. The song opens with a recording of Miller laughing with friends while playing piano at producer Rick Rubin’s house. For Miller, Rubin’s piano represented a sanctuary where he could heal through music.

The phrase “The best is yet to come” repeats throughout the track, capturing a moment of hope and purpose found in Miller’s love for creating.

The album concludes with “Tomorrow Will Never Know,” an almost 12-minute-long track that builds upon Miller’s struggles. He contemplates life, death and existence, asking:

“Do they dream just like we do? / Do they feel just like we do? / Do they love just like we do?”

This track explores Miller’s existential struggles, asking listeners if their bad habits overshadow their genuine selves. He leaves the audience with his sense of longing to start anew and redefine life.

“Balloonerism” is a deeply psychological and introspective album that grapples with themes of substance abuse, purpose and self-discovery. Ultimately, Miller found true joy and meaning in creating music, rather than in chemical escapes.

Published on January 21, 2025 at 9:45 pm