Mac Miller - Balloonerism ALBUM REVIEW

[@WhatsTheBuzz_]

Huge praise to the estate for never compromising the quality of Mac's posthumous art!!

[@ProllyNotJake]

Holy crossover😭

[@safariholden]

on god, they really made the right choices for every project after he passed.

[@SeprexOG]

fax 😊❤

[@SeprexOG]

@@safariholdenyes!

[@ApartUhdabody]

I’m sayn

[@naquaman2034]

Whether it's a 2 or a 10, it's just good to hear Mac's voice again. Rest in peace, Malcolm. We all miss you.

[@HenryDT48]

i agree but when it comes to juice wrld, i miss him and want to here him again, but i dont want to here a single bit of new music because the people releaseing it dont care like they do for mac

[@naquaman2034]

@HenryDT48 I'm not a Juice fan, so I'm glad I don't have to deal with that bs. We're definitely lucky to have Mac's team. They are obviously part of what made him so great, and they care enough to maintain his artistic legacy. This shit is beautiful, man.

[@AllBetzOff]

@@HenryDT48 Fr man. Legends Never Die felt like a nice sendoff album. Then fighting demons felt like a mixtape rather than album. And PNE just wasn't good to me. Same thing with X

[@skynicovideo]

@@AllBetzOff X fs has the worst team of them all, i loved the mans music but his posthumous releases feel so lazy like they were only trying to make money off him

[@riversperception]

@@HenryDT48 completely agree on this, what a shame to say that it's a rare sight that labels release a posthumous release and have it respect the artist. i really adore how mac's label has stayed true to his vision

[@shade7887]

this is the most 9 sounding 8 review ever

[@cycjason9887]

Idk I feel like he's pressured to give a high score. Low-key probably 7

[@Wecangetit562]

Look at Samurai review he liked 7/8 songs still gave it a light 8 😂

[@nic_witout_the_k]

That sounds about right like what 🤷‍♂️

[@blue-pi2kt]

​@@cycjason9887 still can't believe how dirty Fantano did Watching Movies With The Sound Off

[@Newhouse56]

Mac is the blueprint on how to handle posthumous releases

[@mateogarcia7812]

100%. Circles, Faces, and this are all excellent

[@OPUSmpk]

@@mateogarcia7812 Faces was released officially by Mac in 2014, it was just added to streaming services with a bonus track, not a Balloonerism/Circles situation

[@WhizzyFilthy]

its handled by his family that doesnt need money but also he had complete projects his music really just getting mastered

[@Xyforge]

Honestly a top 3 Mac album imo. His estate did a great job touching it up when compared with the leaked version. It's truly a rarity to see artist's estate/label respect their legacy and not basically graverob them just to put more money in their pockets.

[@datboiwildin]

agreed

[@kuppakassi]

with WMWTSO and Faces right?

[@jayday325]

Good AM is better than watching movies ​@@kuppakassi

[@jayday325]

Test

[@leo260]

they cut two of the best songs, smile and he finally sleeps

[@JenkinsOwen]

That last track is one of the most moving pieces of production I've ever heard on a hip hop album

[@JustinSimpson]

The last track on Balloonerism has not left my head since I heard it. Those little "Coo Coo" whispers soaked in reverb and that muddled endless ringing phone feels like trying to reach someone even though you know they're never going to pick up, and that hits differently knowing this is a posthumous album...I hope that makes sense.

[@dir-gk]

See living and dying… are one and the same…

[@ianjames6148]

Crazy thing about this album is according to one of the producer posted in reddit saying 90% it was recorded in a week. You can hear the sounds here that would come to influence a lot of the production on swimming. None of his peers were making sounds and ambience like this especially pre Blonde Neo Soul movement. And there’s something quite poetic about the last album that we hear from him being his darkest. Mac was one of a kind.

[@oscarleyva6485]

beautiful, well put.

[@dannybuchanan3661]

Maclib hasn't been cancelled yet, well put though.

[@JordanNMusic]

Regardless of scores.. I’m just glad the estate didn’t milk Mac Miller’s music posthumously. They’ve treated his catalog with so much respect. Putting out music the way he would’ve wanted to. Hats go off to them 🫡

[@ManiacalMangoes]

Yep unlike juice and lil peep!

[@luhgeekytony]

Lil peep's camp has been handling his music well, theyve just been giving official releases to soundcloud singles recently​@@ManiacalMangoes

[@David-dv5ov]

Fr… I remember the producer of Circles was in tears talking about making the last song on the album, they clearly all care so much about

[@trevorfletcher6335]

@@David-dv5ovman rest in peace mac. This shit makes me so sad but happy that I got to grow up with mac in a way.

[@blakehaggard-coversextras-2762]

“We are what we believe in…. There is no such thing as dreaming…” Beautiful

[@rccola6442]

Dylon dylon dylon!!!

[@Mello96315]

R.I.P Mac. Truly a generational artist

[@mik-d5e]

Love your pfp

[@elivincent3795]

generational gets thrown around way too much lol

[@Soft_Machine]

What did he do that was generational!?

[@ogshrimpsauce]

@@elivincent3795yes, but he was a generational talent for sure

[@elivincent3795]

@@ogshrimpsauce we can definitely agree to disagree. but i’m glad u like his music

[@anthonyfoti4391]

This album is everything to me. My life around this release has been devastating. Nothing is more important to me than this.

[@IntenseCircumstances]

You know things will get better, the problem I've found is not knowing WHEN they will. Sending light & love, I hope you find solace in this moment of your life. A blip of sorts in the grander scheme of things.

[@fihsbonez]

@@IntenseCircumstancesgod bless you friends

[@wickedsamurai3323]

It’ll get better. It may get worse too but it will get better. Love to you and yours

[@teejayroyal]

Sending love your way bro, keep your head up

[@conjurer5725]

❤

[@stonetaylor]

Funny Papers will always be my favorite Mac song.

[@Thatguy55595]

I love it. I became a Mac fan around 15 years ago in high school but I still love Balloonerism. Best Mac album I’ve heard in a decade at least

[@tommioslo]

was honestly never a huge mac fan prior to giving this a listen (nothing against him or his art; simply never really got around to going thru his discography and never was super hooked by any of what i heard) but man, i love this album. so so so fucking good. gonna have to dive back into everything else and see what i missed. RIP mac

[@m21645]

this was me a couple years ago, one day i sat down with a joint and listened to all of swimming, and completely changed the way i thought of mac's music. he's now my favorite artist ever. It's a lot but i genuinely recommend starting from the start and listening through. his progression from project to project is unreal

[@frustum7342]

@@m21645 agreed. one day u truly listen and it just hits, and u never go back

[@m21645]

@@frustum7342 his music talks to the soul, it's unreal. then you go and dive into the actual person he was and it's just like fuck, this dude was an angel.

[@wickedsamurai3323]

Get high and listen to faces it may change your life. It’s my favorite album ever

[@losr98]

I had the same feeling about his music before I heard faces. Never really saw the hype. Just thought he was another high school rapper that the preppy kids liked. I heard Faces and instantly knew he had much more depth and evolution in his sound. This was in 2014 I think. So I've been a huge fan of his since. Really the only artist death that really bummed me out and continues to. It's amazing that his family/estate have taken such good care of his legacy since he passed. You'd hate to see it go the way of a juice or X or Peep.

[@gio52903]

This is seriously going to be hard to top as my album of the year. I know it’s January but this is a stunning record.

[@FatTony_Football]

STUNNING😪🙌🏽

[@98loud]

I mean, technically this is a re-release. Even if it wasn't January I don't think this can be AOTY

[@grumpydusty]

It hurts to keep loving someone that's gone. Ive got 3 of his albums mounted on my wall, they meant so much to me. Heartwarming and depressing that he had more greatness to share and couldn't be here to see it done. Makes me think of family and friends Ive lost while they were young, if only...

[@thebigcheese5114]

The song “Tomorrow Will never know” speaks so much to me and actually brought tears to my eyes. I am a recovering addict and alcoholic and I the slow fazing out drums with kids playing and the phone ringing with no one there to pick up reminds me of a drug addict overdosing and his life fading out as his family or friends are trying to reach them. I feel like the sounds he makes are his last breaths and his spirit leaving his body going into heaven with the kids playing as a flashback on his childhood innocence.

[@codymenesini5102]

DJ’s Chord Organ is such a chilling posthumous song.

[@the_halfthug]

Sounds like an Angel sent back to Earth to tell us a story for a brief moment 🥺

[@rosswingo8714]

This album has had a deeply profound effect on me for some reason. Ive been coming back to it over and over the last few days and it has taken me to some very dark places. Listening to this album has felt like not only a cautionary tale but a mirror towards one's self, encouraging me to confront some things ive neglected for far too long. Feelings of regret, guilt, anxiety, deep sadness, but feelings of hope if I take the initiative to grow. These feelings will evolve as I sit with the album more but currently its a 10/10 and I can't thank Mac and his estate enough for giving us this gift. Its like a visit from an old friend, but you know they can't stay. Beautifully haunting album ❤

[@Ungalo872]

This really feels like Faces PT 2 for me, it's an incredible piece of work, thank god for the guys taking care of his music.

[@wattieiscute]

Faces is Balloonerism PT 2

[@Turbos-b3z]

I still miss Mac Miller. This project made me cry a few times.

[@GameJunkyard11]

I far preferred Circles because I found its lyrics and instrumentation deeper, newer and more fleshed out, but I'm glad this album was handled so well after his passing. R.I.P.

[@NeutralMjolkHotel]

Personally Circles is a 10 for me. Not a single detail on it I don’t love. Beautiful album. This one is great too

[@ProDudeFilmsGaming]

yeah, i figure it makes sense considering he has a couple extra years of experience by then. Ricks Piano really hits hard when you realize, he was struggling to cling on to his inner-child that fueled his creativity at this point, and years later he succeeded in pushing forward and making better works of art

[@Nick_MyName]

@@NeutralMjolkHotelcircles is amazing but i cant listen to it because every time i get to the song everbody i get emotionalit shows how he wanted so much more out of life and that never happening is just so sad. RIP a pittsburgh legend

[@98loud]

​​@@Nick_MyNameGO:OD AM is even more heartbreaking imo. 100 Grandkids, Perfect Circle/Godspeed, Ascension. One of the lyrics that will always stand out to me is "I'm hoping not to join the 27 club"

[@Thatguy55595]

This is better than Circles by a long shot

[@OnePiece23463]

When I saw this project get released, I thought they were gonna milk the late Mac Miller for all they can. But, this is honestly a really good album. Consider me surprised and impressed!

[@biglargeguy7085]

though posthumous albums usually are below par with a lot of the artists previous work, macs people have done incredible with his.

[@OnePiece23463]

@biglargeguy7085 absolutely. It's really great that they're doing Mac Miller's legacy justice, they easily could have done worse

[@xddx1694]

Please be a 9 please be a 9 Edit: it hurts

[@Simpossible-uq3qf]

close enough

[@xddx1694]

@@Simpossible-uq3qfclose enough

[@jlvk]

8 is the new 9 and 9 is basically a 10

[@elstovon]

@@jlvkAnd you’re basically coping

[@jlvk]

@@elstovon why are you so mad

[@taco_man2302]

I've only recently started listening to mac miller, starting from circles to swimming to faces and many more, when I heard hes word play and creativity with all different types of music. I fell in love with his music and when hearing about his album coming out 2 months ago I was so excited to be around for one of his old projects and my recent love for his music just had me geeked as if he was alive, it's so strange to hear a person who isn't around anymore. Bless mac and thank him for allowing his vision even if it was sad at the end, I'm greatful.

[@JblazeMostDope]

DUDE! Finally I can get your perspective... had this album leak downloaded forever but playing it through on official release with millions at the same time was a different feeling

[@SnipeGhost]

my album of the year so far. rip mac.

[@screamingbanana4391]

Not much competition so far lmao

[@NicholasStulga]

@@screamingbanana4391 Ethel Cain and Bad Bunny would like a word.

[@flowerboi-1]

@@NicholasStulgadc for them

[@ThisIsntKev]

Shout out Mac’s estate for handling everything so fucking professionally. The attention to detail and getting all of his friends and studio partners together to complete everything with Mac’s vision in mind has been unparalleled. Rest in Peace and happy belated to one of the BEST artists of our generation

[@m21645]

the fact this whole project was made in about 2 weeks 11 years ago, blows my mind. the production and sounds on this album do not sound like they are that old, mac was truly ahead of his time. rest in peace to my goat, thank you for sharing your beautiful soul and mind through your art. It is immortalized

[@sorendipitous]

This is the most positive 8 I’ve ever seen him give

[@NvDvk]

Most sounding 9 that isn't a 9

[@brotherbrod]

On the song Funny Papers Mac says "I didn't think anyone ever died on a Friday" and he himself died on a Friday. Also on the final track, that never ending phone ringing damn near moved me to tears because it felt like someone was calling Mac but he isn't here to answer it. RIP Mac.

[@PikminMaster4]

An artist that passed too soon. So ahead of his time when it comes to his craft and detail to the music.

[@downfromthereeefters]

There can be a compilation album next with some of Mac's best unreleased art. Songs like Must Be, Pure, Pet Sounds, Speed Racer, Days, Rainclouds, Confessions of a Cash Register, The End Is Near, and so much more. They are album quality and would be a justified official release. Also, Conpletely Transparent should be returned to streaming services!!!

[@gnarwhal7562]

It's amazing that he was just 22 years old when he made this, (yeah it wasn't exactly finished until now, but the creativity on display throughout Balloonerism is nothing short of impressive). Mac remains a one of a kind voice in the hip-hop scene. R.I.P. Malcolm James McCormick. "What's a God without a lil' O.D.? Just a G"

[@Tayden]

It's like 95-98% unchanged from the leaks, just higher quality audio

[@xenolithic9691]

He did it all without a Drake feature EDIT: There needs to be a correction at around 2:44, about how Blue Slide Park was not received well with his fans. BSP debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, the first independent album to do so since 1995.

[@deepfriedfishsticks8547]

But everyone considers it to be his worst album still,and it’s not only because the music that came after were better

[@joeborda899]

Yellow flannel? I already like this review

[@sircarlos3767]

I found this album a few years ago and have kept a few of the songs in regular rotation. Im very impressed with how true they kept to the unreleased version while improving it as well.

[@Mizzhapp]

I managed to hold myself together through the majority of the album, but towards the end of Tomorrow Will Never Know...the finality of it all really hit me; beautifully haunting track. Genuinely made me anxious & a weight on my chest as if I were watching a horror movie. RIP Mac

[@harrylazarus]

It’s only been a few days but I adore this album so much. I’d highly recommend its accompanying short film for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to check it out !

[@Meltymorty]

Stoned was a perfect song to me

[@undyingdefect]

Mac’s (likely) last intentional album still having a yellow flannel makes me so proud as a longtime fan. LONG LIVE MAC MILLER 💙

[@jackattackstopmotion3244]

It’s so hard to believe this album is over a decade old, it sounds like the next step after swimming and circles, it even has sza on it, the biggest hip hop adjacent pop artists 10 years after this album was made

[@licoricelaces4205]

Larry Fisherman snapped on this one

[@atomic_hok]

The fact some record exec said nah the world doesnt need to hear this album is wild to me. This album is phenomenal, it has a combination of watching movies and faces for the sound and i love that so much. RIP Mac Miller you will never be forgotten.

[@ninjaturdle69]

I hate thinking about the fact that there will be so much music lost because some suit will shut down an artists creative ideas

[@obamasjumper]

not usually a fan of posthumous albums but this one felt right

[@djones4275]

I’ve been a fan of balloonerism since late high school and it’s so nice to see everyone love funny papers cause it’s been a top 5 song from him for me for so long. It sucks it took his passing for a lot of people to appreciate his artistry and expression. Much love to Mac hope you made it to the other side.

[@birdworldist]

I don’t smoke weed so I’ll never get the appeal of Mac miller’s music

[@dahalofreeek]

I didn't know Mac had another album coming. A pleasant surprise for sure.

[@dannymcdandan5557]

God I’m so incredibly inspired by how raw and creative this album is. It’s truly a loss not seeing how far Mac would’ve gotten creatively, he seemed like a peak was yet to come for him…

[@audiosurfarchive]

Absolutely insane how well his estate has handled his posthumous records man. Truly top class stuff, especially thematics and sequencing of an album is pretty damn impressive for an LP that wasn't in progress.

[@TheFranco259]

Funny papers & wings will always be my favorite Mac miller songs

[@Luzion]

mac miller was like “this is the most beautiful piece of music i’ve ever created let’s not drop it”

[@downfromthereeefters]

Check out his song Must Be. There's an upload of it on yt. It's incredibly beautiful. This is just the tip of the iceberg of his unreleased discography. He was so prolific.

[@imretro2182]

His label shelved it for being too experimental.

[@livingcolorinc]

This album is genuinely an instant classic for me! Absolutely loving it! Bought and played the vinyl a good 10+ times over the weekend! So happy to hear Mac’s voice again! We miss you Mac! RIP! 💙

[@Redditfanboy-v2s]

Great review bro

[@PATRICKFRANCES]

So eerie that Mac raps “didn’t think anybody died on a Friday” on Funny Papers, and he passed on a Friday. Another sad and oddly predictive bar to add to the many in his discography that are hauntingly foreshadowing. Love the album and this era of his creativity.

[@add69420]

Excelsior is a bop🧙🏼‍♂️🪄

[@Fishman26013]

Certified balloon classic

[@reeseorta3052]

Anthony has a red mark under his eye, I am choosing to believe it is a red teardrop tattoo to mark his first kill

[@JommlyYT]

DJ's Chord Organ, the second half feels like Mac descending from heaven to deliver another performance. The "YEAH"s at the end. Just sounds like him warming up while he floats down to greet us. The whole album is like a jovial frolic to the graveyard.

[@itreallybelikethatdoe829]

Funny Papers was so beautiful and powerful that it made me cry

[@logann29]

1. Circles 2. Watching Movies 3. Swimming 4. Faces 5. GO:OD AM 6. Balloonerism 7. KIDS 8. The Devine Feminine 9. Best Day Ever 10. Blue Slide Park imho

[@Luke_E_Babyy]

I have been so unstrung on the inside that I question my ability to love another person without being paranoid the entire time. And now I can’t even rely on Mr. Fantano’s journalistic integrity. Even that is gone. What a world.

[@bravetraveler1985]

Perfect review! RIP Mac 🖤💛

[@krisnachtigall]

great review anthony, but the new bad bunny album that came out a few weeks ago was really good and i think you should review it!😊

[@ticenitts5403]

Clicked immediately 😂😂😂😂 I'm here on 20secs wow , RIP MAC 🕊️

[@TheMan1123581321]

Loved this album. I'm so surprised this has just been hidden away for so many years. Anyways glad we got it and Mac Miller's estate did an excellent job unlike *cough cough* 'the party never ends'

[@Dons-dq9jc]

loved most of the album and had quite a few moments during songs that definitely brought a tear to my eye. glad this was officially released and love how well Mac's estate has handled his posthumous career so far.

[@SamKerby-b8k]

Cameron winter from geese review when

[@ese___e-v5g]

dont make me mad plz

[@gaminggurujax4110]

Now that Mac died you love giving his music good reviews now huh? You can’t say Swimming was bad and this is an 8. There is no way

[@DM-iw5mj]

it’s subjective but you’re right swimming is 10/10

[@TheEliteSharingan]

My dude… he already did a redux review on Swimming years and changed his score to an 8.

[@NKRevolution]

It would have been a 10 if it was “To Shrimp an Anthony”

[@thestanman1486]

The lyric "I gave my life to this shit, im already dead" is so haunting. Im glad Mac's estate allowed this album to be as upfrontly depressing as it is. I also wonder if the start of funny papers was Mac recording a reference track and would have had an actual British person do the intro later if he were alive to finish it.

[@duggie_4tw]

dude, would really appreciate if you reviewed fauxllenium by george clanton and tv girl. i know you’re not the biggest fan of tv girl (lack of reviews despite their relevance) but i know you’re a fan of george and you liked the singles. just would appreciate it, it’s amazing, even a yuno review

[@SIR_7200]

Anthony, praising Dave Blunts for 14 minutes isn’t an album review.

[@BigOwl51]

Mac Miller has the two best posthumous albums of all time.

[@thefm4506]

One of the very few Estates thats actually handling their deceased artists art really well unlike most

[@j6110]

Thank you for dropping today. With everything going on in the states I so badly just wanna get lost in music.

[@dadoggydude]

i genuinely think 'tomorrow will never know' is one of the best enders of all time

[@Koopakid917543]

After crying from Circles, I didn't expect you to refuse to review this album because he was making fun of melons

[@ohgod6281]

Rip Mac❤ This album is definitely in contention for his top 5 projects, almost made me cry at work a few times lol

[@SeprexOG]

yessir!!! new fantano needledrop video 😊❤

[@johntraun7398]

I hope to get his other unreleased projects if possible (in at least a substantial condition and not sub-par), I know that Maclib is pretty much complete but I'm not so sure about his final follow up album to Circle's (I believe it's called Oblivion or Infinity)

[@Spaniard47]

Well this is an unusually serious and respectful comment section.

[@Bl00prs]

Mac Miller getting three 8’s in a row even while he is in heaven, is just incredible. Shows the talent and groundbreaking framework he left behind. ❤

[@brocksamson9737]

Mac Miller's cover album is my face when I see a new Fantano album review upload. 🥴😵‍💫😖

[@SidneyKocen]

If it was called to pimp a balloon you would’ve given it a 10/10. RIP Mac.

[@JingelJjay]

I think that due to Mac being so close to schoolboy Q and the West Coast his death might be the reason for the shift we see in Hip-Hop today. Being more focused on healing themselves and the community.

[@Sim0n98]

Not going to lie, I felt a lot of things when Mac passed, “shocked” wasn’t one of them.

[@Sucharush31]

Very glad you've come around on this era of Mac, even though I'm almost certain if this had come out back in the WMWTSO/Faces era there's no way you would'va given it more than a 5/6 😅

[@eeeeeeeeeddddd]

Album of the month fo sho

[@ilovecody7514]

This really feels like a sequel to Faces. Words can't express how happy I am this got an official release given that Faces is EASILY my favorite Mac Project.

[@mister-pinkman]

The Yeah bonus track on faces is honestly my favorite off that mixtape. I already have nostalgia for it despite it releasing just a few years ago.

[@theroundone4943]

If you didn't already know mr melon, this album wasn't assembled by macs estate. This was an album that mac himself made and just didn't end up releasing. it isn't loosies put together it's an actual record mac made. I actually believe a couple faces tracks were originally made for this album and repurposed for faces.

[@c00mwall]

Mac really was something special. His memory will never fade, nor will his talent or technical ability. Most dope ♾️

[@mj07088]

Truly never felt this emotional with a mac album before

[@RIPSLYMEFAN]

What I like about him is that he’s the artist that is self aware to his destruction and didn’t want you to be like him.

[@robertogreen]

technically mark prindle's record review was the earliest internet music nerddom. ahead of his time

[@oddtodd2986]

this album gonna get me through the school year

[@zanedemmon4015]

the girl that mac references throughout the album was likely intended to be a metaphor for himself, and his inner child that he finds himself battling with trying to keep as he falls though the downfall of his oncoming adult life

[@ilyouslug]

best thumbnail i’ve ever seen

[@OddOneOut665]

No Cal Chuchesta popping up. That's a good sign so far!!!