After being teased at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in November, Mac Miller’s second posthumous album offers a window into the artist’s creative process during 2013 and 2014. This period, which also birthed the acclaimed Faces mixtape, is characterised by Miller’s experimental approach, introspective lyricism and creative ambition.
Balloonerism’s opening salvo of ‘Tambourine Dream’ and SZA collaboration ‘DJ’s Cloud Organ’, sets the atmospheric tone for the rest of the album. The tambourine beat of the first track leads into the melancholic organ sounds of the latter before transitioning once more, courtesy of SZA’s harmonies.
Album standout ‘Funny Papers’ sees a soft, sombre piano tune paired with a jazz bassline and introspective lyrics to create Balloonerism‘s most hard-hitting moment. ‘Transformations’ includes a collaboration with Miller’s alter ego, Delusional Thomas, with a distorted intro and a production style which elevates the vocal above its surroundings whilst gelling confidently with the rest of the LP.
Opaque, reverberated notes build and clash throughout closing track ‘Tomorrow Will Never Know’ to serve as an ideal 12-minute finale whilst tying up the album’s dream-like tone.
As a collection, Balloonerism is assured and coherent. Each song flows neatly into the next to retain the album’s dreamy tone, while tracks like ‘5 Dollar Pony Rides’ nod to the funk elements on Mac’s previous release, Faces. This makes for an interesting juxtaposition against the chilled, more downbeat songs; some tracks show Mac accepting his feelings while others brush off his deeper thoughts in favour of a more optimistic sound.
Overall, it’s a bittersweet listen. The talent behind Mac’s self-aware lyricism and unique production style is on full display, whilst the lyrics feel particularly poignant in the wake of Miller’s 2018 passing. Balloonerism is a one-of-a-kind album, an emotional exploration of his psyche; an early contender for album of the year.
featured image: Justin Boyd
