People all over the world woke up on the 17th of January 2025 to the long-awaited Balloonerism; the new posthumous album by Mac Miller.
These 14 tracks that Beer recorded between 2013 and 2014 have made his fans sad and thoughtful.
The album again proves that Miller was good at melding genres together and that he incorporated psyche and slow-burn and experimental music with soul and jazz.
All the songs venture into important topics like loneliness, time, burden of living, all of which are wrapped in his signature sarcasm.
Balloonerism is the second posthumous album from Miller’s estate, after the artist died in a tragic accident in 2018.
Primarily, there is a video for the song released on Prime Video, which is a non-featured animated short film directed by Samuel Jerome Mason to the album.
The film created based on the lyrics and music of Mac Miller supplements an artistic element to the project, which sells earnings from the screening to the Mac Miller Fund group.
This fund carries on his vision today by funding youth arts programs as well as programs that strengthen the community.
In terms of the musiciality Balloonerism has been referred to as a progressive sojourn that captures Miller’s risk taking and also his vulnerability.
It also includes one track with SZA – a singer which complements the work with emotions and music used in the album.
Subscribers and detractors alike have written that the words are profound and go over idol worship and the battle with death and the performer himself.
I must admit that one song that seems to have resonated very well is the “Funny Papers” where Miller sings‘ I didn’t think that anybody died on a Friday.
The line became rather symbolic and fans remember in horror of the fact that Miller himself died on Friday.
The picture on the album cover, an illustration of Alim Smith was chosen to suit Miller’s personal view and his/her more reflective side.
The artwork introduces the element of picture to album that matches the emotional and to some extent, philosophical theme of the music.
Another brilliant song is “Do You Have A Destination?” on which listeners can listen to Miller’s struggles as he continues the lyrics spitting, “I gave my life to this s**t, already killed myself.”
People have been moved to tears by these lines, still appreciating Miller ability to say what many people are going through.
The album’s release also elicited sentiments from previous fans who have said it is hauntingly beautiful.
subreddit has been overwhelmed with communications on the Project and people revealing how certain lyrics touched them.
One fan wrote, “This album. Absolutely incredible. And so gut-wrenching. He’s constantly babbling about dying and then the last god dam song made me feel this…
Balloonerism also consists of a tender piece “Rick’s Piano,” in which Miller asks, “Is there a heaven?” and “What does it feel like to die?”
Vivid poetic messages of introspection are heady yes and they have left fans struggling with mixed feelings; ‘fighter tears on the subway to work listening to this.’
These themes before us must be embraced not only as songs but as preservation of Miller’s person and creativity.
Finally, breaking the news that has left fans emotional: As much as Balloonerism was just a project, it was very close to Miller’s heart.
His estate reported that it was his wish to release the album because he once ordered artwork for the album and said that he wanted it out.
The estate said in a statement, “We think it captures the full scope of his musicianship and his lack of comparable for the work.”
Now that Balloonerism has become public, the lovers of Miller are given a taste of what they have lost when he died at the age of 26.
Libbianumerosi concordano sbagliando anche il sorriso mentre piangono o meditando profondamente, ascoltatori s’immise di comune accordo che nell’ultimo album abbiamo ricevuto un dono da un artista che visse solo una volta nello spazio di una vita.
The world of music can testify to the footprints that Mac Miller left behind inspiring and touching millions across the globe Balloonerism will remain a testament to perhaps one of the most unique and talented artists in the industry.
Feature Image Credit: (Instagram/ @macmiller)