Balloonerism is the latest full length album from the late Pittsburgh rapper and singer Mac Miller. This is the second of the two posthumous releases from the late artist released by his estate following his passing in 2018 of an overdose. The previously released 2020 record Circles came out to massive critical acclaim and fan adoration. These positive reactions to Miller’s posthumous work are primarily due to the relative respect and care with which his estate has been handling his unreleased music, avoiding the unfortunate example of the posthumous releases of an artist such as the late Juice WRLD.
However, I must admit that this is entirely my first experience with Miller’s music. While this may perhaps be an unusual entry point, the quality of this record has thoroughly shone through and inspired me to delve deeper into his music. So yes, for any Mac Miller fans reading this review this is the perspective of someone who previously was an outsider to his music.
Balloonerism is an incredibly hazy and jazz influenced record, however this Jazz-Rap aspect is less shown in the presence of horns and brass instruments but more so in hazy and expansive soundscapes crafted with tight drum samples and lush keyboard instrumentation drawing influence from the genre of Jazz Fusion. This Fusion influence is a departure from the typical sample material of Jazz-Rap such as classic bebop or modal Jazz.
As far as the musical formula of this record goes, an undeniable part of its DNA is the influence of Neo-Soul showcased in Miller’s frequent singing atop lush soundscapes with frequently organic instrumentation. Truth be told as far as the beats on this record go I simply am unable to determine if they are formed from samples or come from the instrumentation of a live band.
The record opens with intro, Tambourine Dream followed by the dreamy sound of the track DJ’s Chord Organ, sampling the titular instrument and featuring the vocal talent of singer SZA, this track itself despite not featuring Miller whatsoever manages to be one of the best songs on the record with just the instrumentation and SZA’s singing not even starting until the halfway point.
The following few tracks utilize much of the same formula which leads to a simple greatness of this record. Simply put, Miller was an impassioned rapper and singer with evocative and emotional lyricism accompanied by captivating beat work with the primary highlights being the tracks “Do You Have A Destination?”, “5 Dollar Pony Rides”, and “Funny Papers”. Funny Papers specifically to me rings as the centerpiece and best track of the record, taking on a far more melancholic tone than the rest of the record.
The following Excelsior and Transformations are interludes between the bulk of the record and its conclusions are the only part which I don’t entirely enjoy, they don’t have the same heart or passion as the rest of the album to my ears.
Manakins and Rick’s piano are two more of the best songs on the album, emotional, impactful and incredibly produced. The album closes with the nearly 12-minute-long Tomorrow Will Never Know. It is the most haunting song here and the one that feels most shadowed by Miller’s passing. The song is shadowed in its corners despite the wonderful light attempting to cling but the reality of Miller’s passing is too much not to influence one’s conception of this track, it is incredible.
Balloonerism is a beautifully produced and excellently rapped record by the late Mac Miller and without doubt worth a listen for anyone even the slightest bit interested in checking out his music, even with the tragic reality of his passing looming over all the art he ever made.
Final Score: 9.5/10