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Originally published in August 2018. RIP Mac, I love you.
If you know me well enough, you'd know I absolutely adore Mac Miller. He's definitely in my top 3 favourite artists which made the release of his latest album Swimming particularly exciting for me. I may or may not have woken up at 5am the morning it released to give it a listen but I mean, it's been two years since his previous album, The Divine Feminine dropped so...
I've never written an album review before, so bear with me. I'll try not to be biased since I love Malcolm James McCormick and think he's a musical genius or whatever.
While I feel his last album was severely underrated, Swimming has certainly been getting a lot more attention already.
I don't consider Mac to be the greatest in the singing department or anything, but hey, the man has said so himself (listen to the Live From Space version of Youforiafor reference).
Swimming- staying afloat, even when facing the rockiest of waters. That's pretty much the message he delivers throughout. Mac's cathartic approach is rather admirable and shows immense growth from his frat-rap days.
On the road to recovery, we are confronted with Mac's inner demons, grievances and heartbreaks throughout the album. And no, I'm not going to mention Ari and the DUI in every second sentence like the other reviews I've seen.
Though some tracks have an upbeat and jazzy/ silky delivery, the lyricism shows depth and hard-hittingness (wow, a word).
Take Come Back to Earth for instance; a turmoil-filled track with a delivery so angelic, it will have you humming along like you've never experienced a bad day. Although to be fair, it does have some triumphant points. I think instrumental-singing Mac is one of my favourite Macs so that could be the reason I'm completely having it. It's just such a dreamy song.
What's the Use?, Ladders, Small Worlds and Perfecto are also an example of the more jazzy/alternative R&B tracks. The first two tracks are particularly welcoming of some serious shoulder shimmies.
While What's the Use? may leave you feeling like a drive along the coast with friends and the sun kissing your UV-30 sunblocked skin, Small Worlds has more of a balcony at golden hour with an ice-cold glass of white wine in hand type feel.
Oh, and did I mention John Mayer killing the guitar on Small Worlds and the likes of Syd and Snoop Dog on background vocals of "What's the Use?" with Thundercat instrumentation?
Mac's vulnerability really comes through on Wings. The introspective nature allows Miller to maturely own up to his mistakes. This song probably sounds better while laying alone in your dimly lit room, staring blankly at the ceiling. Major self-reflection vibes and some relatable content right there.
2009 has a similar effect. The violin and piano (uh, I think) solo in the beginning feels like a 1950s dream (ironically). I'm picturing two star crossed lovers unexpectedly meeting again after years apart, their eyes meet and time stands still as the violin sound intensifies (yes I've seen too many movies).
Almost cried some real thug tears throughout this song. "Now every day I wake up and breathe; I don't have it all but that's alright with me" is probably one of my favourite lines of the album.
We do see a bit of Mac's regular rap flow despite the heavily saturated alternative R&B sound.
Hurt Feelings, produced by J. Cole, (and evidently so since it sounds rather J. Cole-esque) has an infectious flow that will leave you bopping along. I think this song would fit really well on GO:OD AM-Mac's third studio album-too.
Now we can't have a Swimming review without me gushing over Self Care. I didn't think a song about someone's troubled past could get me this hyped.
When I first heard Self Care, I wasn't completely sold, the beat felt like it was missing something. Luckily it grew on me and is now definitely my top 3 on the album. THAT TRANSITION-wow. I wan't to somehow inject it into my veins and just be happy all day long.
Conversation, Pt 1 is another example of classic lazy flow Mac rap. This is probably my least favourite track on the album though, and I don't think it's a bad song or anything so I guess that says something. I just feel that in terms of subject matter, it doesn't mesh that well.
Dunno and Jet Fuel are in a similar category in terms of flow and overall feeling, while acknowledging that Jet Fuel is miles ahead. I mean, with Steve Lacy on bass, what do you expect?
Something about Jet Fuel reminds me of The Weekend feat Miguel from GO:OD AM- just think about it. I The last 50 seconds of Jet Fuel made me feel like I was listening to Kanye's Lost In The World though.
Dunno was pretty lackluster at the first listen, my favourite part is probably the bridge and the beat but overall, I didn't think it was anything too special. Surprisingly, it really grew on me- plus the lyrics are pretty sweet. Still, it's the most pre-nap song (sorry Mac) on the album.
I absolutely love how the album ends off with So It Goes, feeling like the narrative really comes full circle. The whole "this is my life and it is what it is" kinda thing. King of "it really be like that sometimes."
I have no idea what the correct term for those whale-like sounds is but they're cool as hell. Also, the "la da da da" sing-along bit makes me so happy.
Overall, I feel that the album is cohesive and definitely tells a story, something I feel is crucial for any good body of work. While it's not my favourite Mac album, it's definitely tastefully executed and worthy of the hype it's received thus far. I wish the single, Buttons made it to the album though, but in retrospect, would not have fit as well as I'd like to believe it would.
I feel that the production is pretty good (although "Larry Fisherman" never disappoints).
I didn't really wanna rate it, but I'd give it a 7.9 out of 10. I'd give it a solid 8 but Mac's vuil voete (dirty feet) on the album cover convinced me otherwise.
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