Circles : Mac Miller
…the closest thing to closure
Released 17/01/2020
Mac Miller’s drug overdose shocked the world and devastated many of his fans. His previous album ‘Swimming’, which was released before his death, felt like such an unfair ending. A testimony of great struggle and heartache, with a tone of acceptance of the problems he had and didn’t deserve.
What sets his newest release apart from ‘Swimming’ is how Miller still bares his struggles, however, looks forward. He talks about his issues, but with hope and aspiration for the future. In Hand Me Downs, he breaks our hearts by speaking of a girl he loves, and how he even wishes to settle down and start a family with her.
The composition and instrumentation in Millers albums is always dazzling, having an ability to tell his stories in a unique style of HipHop, something that Jon Brion followed through with after Millers death. A palette of synths and instruments gives each album a certain timbre that blends through every track, making you feel like you’re listening to a colour.
Taking full advantage of contemporary hip hop trends, Miller has created a more folk-acoustic inspired record, using pizzicato strings, horns, woodwinds and guitars, which pair beautifully with the heartfelt lyrics. On this album he chooses to delve more into his warm, aspirate vocals as oppose to his equally impressive rap, maybe feeling that some words have to be sung.
‘Circles’ provides us with the resolution needed that we could never have anticipated from such a tragic loss, the words, the vocals and instrumentation reminding us that Miller was so much more than an addict.
Moves 