It has been almost seven years since Mac Miller’s death, but in that time we have received regular reminders of his creative genius. Originally recorded between 2013 and 2014, ‘Balloonerism’ is the latest of them — an experimental, introspective record that leaves a bittersweet aftertaste.
Miller exudes confidence throughout as he switches genres effortlessly, from jazz to psychedelic hip-hop. Here he’s a born performer navigating spaces he’s built for himself (these tracks were largely self-produced under his Larry Fisherman moniker) and as a result ‘Balloonerism’ feels like a body of work from close to Miller’s heart.
Five years ago his first posthumous release ‘Circles’ discussed personal rehabilitation, but ‘Balloonerism’ hits different. Miller’s drug use and the inevitable after effects are front and centre, with the SZA collab DJ’s Chord Organ coming off like a psychedelic dream and a beacon of light in the dark of addiction.
Skilfully sampling Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie’s Just Rhymin’ With Biz, Friendly Hallucinations flips its title with a kaleidoscopic neo-soul dive into the devastating mental implications of drug abuse. Mrs. Deborah Downer, too, is haunting.
Do You Have A Destination? finds Miller painfully expressing his deep-rooted struggles with fame and notoriety. He spits: “Okay, I went to sleep famous and I woke up invisible / Rich as fuck and miserable / At least I did Kimmel and Arsenio, my mom got it on video / That's the shit I live for, all this other shit is trivial.”
Accompanied and augmented by a beautifully immersive short film hot on its tail, ‘Balloonerism’ is a deeply personal time capsule — emotionally intelligent and musically imaginative at every turn. Miller’s legacy is still shining.
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