Posthumous releases can be a very tricky one. From Tupac, Dilla, Peep, X and more, the estates and families have released music from the vault for these artists with very mixed results. Due to the music being owned by multiple parties and dropping too many albums, labels wanting money, and songs that were basically demos and were Frankensteined together with an unnecessary feature or it's a loop of the same shit over and over again. With Circles, I am happy that the estate of Mac Miller's and producer Jon Brion took their time and care with this album. This is the sequel to Mac's last album when he was still here "Swimming" and the album was pretty much finished before Mac's untimely passing and Jon stepped in to tweak and mixed a few things to make sure everything was good. Going into this I knew this would be a heavy album to deal with it and man it sure was.
Circles kick off with the title track, the production is very minimal and Mac is talking being about directionless and it ties together the whole theme of the album and song itself, always being in a circle. its a nice opener and his vocals are very chilling too as well. "Complicated" is more of an upbeat soulful track, I love the synths here. I can relate to this track, mainly Mac rapping about dealing with all these feelings at a very young age and he's taking it day by day to keep moving forward. I do love the line about his mind being cluttered and he's been trying to clean up his mess but he can't do it, it ties to a song here and also on Swimming. "Blue World" has a very nice sample. its a trippy flip I must say. I wished the beginning of the sample was a bit longer cause it did have a decent build-up to the beat drop, I do like the original song, something I would hear in Cuphead. Good song nonetheless, I do like the subliminal shout out to Ariana and picturing them driving around and only playing their music.
"Good News" was the only single before this release and ill admit I did shed a tear after the second listen after paying attention to the lyrics. What got me was "They don't talk about me too much no more and that's a problem with a closed-door". Mac was dealing with a lot of shit with his last few months here on earth with the break up of grande and was arrested for a DUI and crashing his crash, I think the fame of his music was becoming too much and he just wanted to hide but doesn't cause it means he's shutting down other people to help him with his mental state and mind. Also, him singing about there's more waiting for me hit me too cause It felt more spiritual but also eerie cause well you know. "I Can See" is an ok song, I don't dislike it but Mac's vocals slur on here time and Mac had that issue from time to time when he was singing but it is a nice change of pace from the previous song.
"Everybody" man. This song made me cry too as well (the whole album did). That opening line, man. I love the piano and the way the drums and bass are layered with the vocals, yeah heavy shit here. Verses are short but they are straight to point and heart wrenching too."Woods" is about dealing with heartbreak and Mac always being in a daze and coping the pain with his vices and cause of the feeling of losing everything. The track is very detailed with Mac was dealing which people and me including can relate, I love the outro of the instrumental, very spine-tingling.
"Hand Me Downs" has the lone feature from singer Baro, I am not familiar with his work but he did a great job on the hook, I really enjoy his vocals, very warm. Mac continues the theme of dealing and reflecting with his headspace and on the second he mentions that he's doing his best day by day and is telling everyone he is fine even though at times it is farfetched. I love the mellow production with the strings and synths. "That's On Me" I love the strings, feels like I am floating on a cloud. The lyric that hit me the most was on the bridge where he said "I'll cut the strings, today I'm fine" where Mac feels he's just fine for this one day. The hook and theme of the song that Mac is blaming himself for things he shouldn't feel bad for and he has done nothing wrong and a lot of us have dealt with that occurrence. Short song but it gets the message across.
"Hands" is the only song that has the none neo-soul production and it's more bouncy and that high pitched 'yeah' with the playful keys is very smooth too. "Hand" does sound like something I would hear on "Faces" where there is a lot of clever bars but its also dark as hell. The opening line is perfect where Mac wants to be left alone but at the same time, he doesn't wanna be left alone so his whole life is a contradiction. "Surf" I don't have too much to say about this one, very sad lyrics but has that vibe from the production where I would hear this on the beach. "Once a Day" I felt it could've been a bit stronger of a closer but it is still a solid song. very minimal and low key, the last verse connected with me the most saying it's ok to express your emotions and not keep bottled inside your head with all the regret.
Final thoughts on Mac's final studio album, man this was heavy. Circles was a very eerie listen but also that Mac found closure and peace with himself makes me happy and also sad too. It still baffles me Mac is really gone and he should still be here. I felt the pain and doubt in his lyrics and voice like he knew his time was coming and it just hurts my soul but at the end of the day he just wanted to tell his friends, family and fans he's fine. Thank you, Mac, for everything, I have been a supporter of yours since KIDS and you help me with a lot with depression and the way you conveyed that with your art, it was heavy but helpful. Thank You Mac, hope wherever you are, you are at peace. Rest Easy.
Favorite Songs: Good News, Everybody, Hands, Woods, Blue World, Circles, That's On Me, Complicated, Hand Me Downs
Least Favorite Song: If I had to pick one I would say I Can See
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