Mac Miller’s ‘Balloonerism’ is a Bittersweet Reconnection With an Old Friend

29 January 2025 / by Marlowe Greenwood
Mac Miller Balloonerism
Released: January 17, 2025
Label: Warner Records
Movement:
Hip-Hop/Rap
Lane:
Action Bronson / Steve Lacy / Tyler the Creator
Rating:
9/10
Heat:
Rick’s Piano, Excelsior, 5 Dollar Pony Rides, DJ’s Chord Organ

Mac Miller has made the best posthumous album, for the second time… but, I’m not surprised. Though this album was recorded 11 years ago, it feels as fresh and relevant as ever. 

 

For those unfamiliar, Mac Miller was a groundbreaking artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose sound blurred the lines of genre. Mac’s rise to stardom began with mixtapes which captured the youthful energy of his early teens. As his sound matured, so did his lyrics – exploring themes of love, addiction, mortality, and self-discovery. Through it all, Mac’s authentic personality always stayed the same. Mac passed away in 2018 at the age of 26, shocking the world forever. In his place, Mac left behind a lasting legacy of brilliant artistry and a devoted fanbase that continues to celebrate his work to this day.

 

Mac Miller’s second posthumous album, Balloonerism, was released on January 17, 2025, reminding listeners everywhere of his undeniable talents that were taken from this world far too soon. This album captures the complexity of Mac, his artistry, and his ability to uncover emotion through musicality, lyricism, and production. 

 

Many fans (including me) waited in anticipation for this album, and now that it’s finally here, the feeling is bittersweet. Listening to Balloonerism feels like reconnecting with an old friend, one who knows the innermost things about you – how to make you laugh, cry, and reminisce, all in the span of one conversation. Mac’s presence is felt in all 58 minutes and 42 seconds of this album, making the listener feel like they’re in the recording booth with him. 

 

Some of the album’s many highlights include tracks like “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” an upbeat track with jazz-inspired production, and “Excelsior,” where Mac takes a nostalgic tone reminiscing the days of his childhood – worry-free and full of wonder. “DJ’s Chord Organ” is another standout track, featuring the immensely talented artist, SZA. With an almost dream-like production, this song effortlessly blends their distinct styles, the opening harmonies floating and flowing over each other seamlessly. My personal favourite on the album is “Rick’s Piano.” This track is raw emotion served over jazz-inspired keys. Arguably the most intimate song on the album, “Rick’s Piano” is introspective in nature, encapsulating Mac’s complex battles with mental health and substance abuse, highlighting his deep yearning to understand mortality. 

 

Mac’s influence from jazz is all over this album. The intricacies of the trumpets, saxophones, and keys create a soundscape that elevates his lyricism even further. 

 

What’s most striking about Balloonerism, is that it was recorded over a decade ago, proving the timelessness of Mac’s artistry. Posthumous albums often carry a certain weight, sometimes feeling exploitative of an artist’s passing. Balloonerism isn’t one of those albums. Respect for Mac’s artistic vision was put at the forefront of this release. In conversation with Newsbeat, Mac’s longtime producer, Eric Dan, said “We made a conscious decision to keep things as they were and not go back and ‘fix’ mistakes, tune things or add anything. The rough edges were part of its charm and highlighted where Mac was creatively at that time.”

 

Balloonerism is a warm hug to Mac Miller fans everywhere – a celebration of who he was and what he continues to be, even in his passing. Delivering from start to finish, Balloonerism is a must-listen, no-skip album.