Ballooning is the seventh studio album by rapper and musician Mac Miller and the second posthumous LP launched by his property and Warner Bros. following his demise in September 2018. Typically thought of Miller's "misplaced tape", Ballooning originated in a 2-week jam session in 2014 between 2013 Watch motion pictures with the pontificate and the then mixtape Faces (2014), Mac's trip-hop masterpiece that was launched on main streaming platforms in October 2021. Ballooning formally achieved Apple Music, Spotifyand YouTube on January 17, 2025, two days earlier than the Mac's thirty third birthday.
Whereas one unofficial leak Ballooning has been circulating on the Web since 2020, the official launch presents a extra polished and immersive soundscape. Some leaked songs don't seem on the official launch, akin to the primary variations of "Colours and Shapes" and "Uber" with out Mike Jones, each Faces tracks, "Bob's Dementia", "He Lastly Sleeps" and "Smile", the final of which grew to become a part of one other unreleased Mac venture, Continuous Sentences Vol. 2. THE Ballooning 2025 streaming launch arrives with accompanying vinyl releases, merchandiseviewers and a 24-minute animated movie directed by Samuel Jerome Mason, at present streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
After three full listens to Ballooningbeginning with YouTube viewers on the midnight launch, then Apple Music's Lossless streaming throughout a sunny however brisk noon stroll, and at last on Amazon's unique inexperienced vinyl spun by a Crosley Bluetooth, the album initially appears like a lacking piece of the puzzle in Mac's in depth discography. Scores are subjective and will change from day after day, however are based totally on originality, lyrical content material, instrumentation, replay worth, cadence, themes, tone, insights into Mac's perspective, and comparisons to his different work. Regardless, the official launch of Ballooning is a celebratory occasion that expands and enhances Mac Miller's distinctive discography and everlasting legacy.
14
tambourine dream
Observe 1 – 0:33
Ballooning opens with 33 seconds of candy tambourine trembling on “Tambourine Dream” from producer Larry Fisherman, one in all Mac's musical alter-egos. Fisherman produced the entire album's unique tracks with help on bass from frequent collaborator and shut good friend Thundercat. The tambourine might be heard in every single place Ballooningsignificantly within the songs "5 Greenback Pony Rides", "Pleasant Hallucinations" and "Rick's Piano". The tambourine is a signature instrument of Larry Fisherman and can be heard all through Faces. On Ballooningunits an expectation for Mac's genre-blending jazzy orchestrations and general experimental tone to the venture.
13
Transformations (feat. Delirante Thomas)
Observe 11 – 3:05
One other of Mac's best-known alter-egos, Delusional Thomas, is one in all two featured artists on the Ballooning. Thomas switches bars with Miller on “Transformations,” which opens with some glowing feedback about DJ Clockwork, an early collaborator who incessantly toured with Mac. Thomas's high-pitched vocals don't at all times sit effectively with listeners, however they've traditionally been related to the content material. Mac's most imaginative, drug-induced, and comically random lyrical work, as evidenced by lyrics like "Blew my shit with the thumbs up like Henrey Winkler." “Transformations” looks like an unfinished journey, obscureopening with two repeated verses and ending abruptly in a hazy haze.
12
Mrs.
Observe 6 – 4:05
The sixth observe of Ballooning is the hypnotic "Mrs. Deborah Downer". Like lots of the songs on the album, it appears like a Faces prototype, although its manufacturing feels deliberately subdued and disinterested, counting on Mac's gnarly bars and occasional singing to convey it to life. The lyrics are narratively compelling and contradictory, self-reflective and corrective in actual time, as Mac revises his personal statements with traces like "All paths result in the identical confusion / I imply all paths result in the identical conclusions." Mac leaves the bars crossed out on his notepad for listeners to dissect in "Mrs. Deborah Downer"amplifying the observe's complicated ambiance and the prospect of the chase inside it that feels distorted however optimistic.
11
5 greenback pony rides
Observe 4 – 3:42
"5 Greenback Pony Rides" was the primary formally launched single from Ballooningprobably as a result of it's one of the accessible tracks on the album. Mac sings extra on this one than every other Ballooning music, which isn't essentially a nasty factor. "5 Greenback Pony Rides" is one of many few upbeat songs on the venture and it nearly appears like a Divine Female B-side or ideasonically much like their 2016 hit "Drug! (feat. Anderson.Paak)". A number of the catchiest lyrics in Ballooning might be discovered within the observe, like "She doesn't know she slept sooner or later / I misplaced it, it was yesterday", which provides intrigue. Nevertheless, the latter half of the observe could detract from its replay worth.
10
Shangri-la
Observe 8 – 2:49
The opening chords of "Shangri-La" sound like music synthesizers. Circles earlier than the ominous tinkling of a cowbell pulls the listener again into the psychedelic soundscape that defines Ballooning utterly. Talking of Faces prototypes, "Shangri-La" might match that invoice completely, maybe someplace between "55" and "San Francisco." Within the new observe, Mac recollects a visit to Shangri-La and questions "How tremendous is a supermodel?", bringing again reminiscences of the same journey he describes on "Nutritional vitamins" on the 2012 album Macadelic. Whereas not essentially a spotlight, “Shangri-La” is essential to maintaining the vibe going in the course of the venture.uniting fan favorites "Stoned" and "Humorous Papers."
9
Manaquins
Observe 12 – 3:09
"Manakins" packs a powerful emotional punch over a beautiful harp-infused instrumental backed by highly effective percussion. That's it one in all a number of stripes on the again of Ballooning with extra weight as a result of posthumous nature of the venture. A comparatively temporary tune, lyrics like "'Trigger I see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel / Looks like I'm dying, dying, dying / I'm lifeless"add a metaphysical surrealism akin to a David Lynch movie. Oddly, the sung refrain propels the observe to really feel like an anthem of radical acceptance, masking a way of hopelessness with a canopy of liberating renunciation, leading to one of the lyrically complicated songs on the album.
8
Pleasant Hallucinations
Observe 5 – 4:46
"Pleasant Hallucinations" is without doubt one of the few tracks on Ballooning you would possibly need to play on a summer time day with the home windows down, arguably the truest hip-hop tune on the album. Oddly fulfilling, "Pleasant Hallucinations" has a excessive replay worth based mostly on its catchy "It's solely actual if it's actual for you"Thundercat's hook and easy baseline. Mac's bars are at their greatest on the observe, providing tutorial lyrics like"Being a sufferer of a world filled with satire, Mark Twain admired / Open Tom Sawyer, learn a passage to the taxi driver". 'Pleasant Hallucinations' appears like a film scene in the best way it condenses and frames Mac's perspective with an nearly cinematic consideration to element.
7
Excelsior
Observe 10 – 2:24
One other instance of Mac's insightful storytelling abilities in Ballooning is "Excelsior," a brief however vivid portrait filled with relatable nostalgic questions. Paired together with your scene on Ballooning brief movie, “Excelsior” evokes the listener to recollect being a toddler”earlier than the brainwashing begins / earlier than they get polluted, begin pondering like adults." Mac reveals that he wished to be a magician, so the tune ends with him saying "Abracadabra" and "Excelsior." Listeners can't assist however consider their very own goals as youngsters whereas listening "Excelsior", which contributes to the "make imagine" theme felt all through Ballooning.
6
DJ Chord Organ (feat. SZA)
Observe 2 – 5:16
Whereas Mac is hardly turned on Ballooning On the second observe, "DJ's Chord Organ", lyrically, he and Larry Fisherman create essentially the most disconcerting and immersive soundscape on the complete album. Given the eventual leap of “Tambourine Dream,” it’s an unimaginable introduction to the world of Ballooning the place seemingly something is feasible, a dreamland full of fine and dangerous issues. The incomparable SZA elevates the crazy soundscape, punctuating the observe with a "Cocaine is relentless" line. The instrumental is mesmerizing in components, encouraging the thoughts to wander and wander, reaching out between Mac and the listener who sucks you right into a spinning dream-nightmare hybrid filled with melancholic marvel.
5
Stoned
Observe 7 – 4:04
So far as replay worth goes, “Stoned” might be a prime contender, because it was usually thought of a favourite of the leaked Balloonerism tracks. Miller is correct in nearly each manner in "Stoned," which is equally accessible and area of interest, energetic and subdued, narratively participating and sonically participating. It could be essentially the most listened to tune from the official launch by many individuals, and for good purpose. "Stoned" is crisply and even formally constructed, offering a momentary life raft for any listener floating adrift after the album's first half. Though a big half Ballooning Rising from the darkish locations of drug-induced interior worlds, "Stoned" demonstrates a tangible portrait of affection, temptation and the decision to escapism.
4
Tomorrow we are going to by no means know
Observe 14 – 11:53
Along with turning into the longest tune on all of Mac Miller's studio albums, surpassing the likes of "Good Circle/God Velocity", "Cinderella" and "God Is Honest, Horny Nasty" (all comparatively 8 minutes lengthy), "Tomorrow Will By no means Know" is an environmental achievement. The temper is immediately doubtful and darkish, someway capturing the twin sensations of being deep in a cave and floating in house. Pushed by a persistently creeping bass, the 12-minute closing observe Ballooning is surrounded by echoes of youngsters taking part in outside and the dreaded sounds of a missed name repeated, in all probability in the intervening time you want a solution essentially the most. The top result's a darkish and haunting Pink Floyd-style nightmare vibe that adheres with a delicate dexterity like a illness you'll be able to't shake.
3
Do you may have a future?
Observe 3 – 3:25
"Do you may have a future?" appears like one of the completed tracks on Ballooning. The mesmerizing “DJ’s Chord Organ” seems on the observe because it grounds the album in its first bar-heavy providing. Lyrics like "I have to let the medicine go / Looking for Paradise, I get excessive however I by no means get shut"reveal the confessional strategy to Mac's lyricism on the venture, which can also be featured all through Faces additionally. TThe number of manufacturing parts on "Do You Have a Vacation spot?" make you naturally fascinatingthat includes touches of basic Mac improvisations, background singing, vocal distortion, boom-bap model percussion, piano riffs and extra layered beneath Mac's audience-focused lyrical questions.
2
Rick's piano
Observe 13 – 5:08
If the heavy lyrics of "Manakins" didn't present sufficient goosebumps, the penultimate tune on the Ballooning "Rick's Paino" is bound to hit the spot. Beginning with a humorous trade between Miller and sound engineer Josh Berg, who labored with Mac on Faces tracks like "Thumbalina," "Angel Mud" and "Apparition," "Rick's Piano" accommodates among the venture's rawest lyrics. Mac asks passionately, "What does demise really feel like? / Why does demise steal life?"with a seriousness that may solely be described as purely human. The boldness he usually possesses on the microphone is eradicated in "Rick's Piano", offering a weak have a look at Mac's private struggles on the time with unprecedented poignancy.
1
Humorous Articles
Observe 9 – 4:24
For many who waited for the official Ballooning launched to take heed to "Humorous Papers", we are able to say it was value it. That includes a refrain paying homage to the primary CHILDREN was, "Humorous Papers" additionally had one of the devastating lyrics on the venture, "I didn't suppose anybody would die on a Friday"contemplating Mac handed away on Friday, September 7, 2018. Moreover, the piano-driven "Humorous Papers" is a mixture of lots of Mac's musical abilities: lovely orchestration and contemplative lyrics, leading to a sentimental hip-hop observe , however witty.
Lyrics about demise have been widespread on many, if not all, of Mac Miller's earlier mixtapes and albums. Faces is especially filled with them, with songs like "Funeral" creating an eerie high quality after that fateful day in 2018. In contrast to Mac's beforehand launched discography, "Manakins," "Rick's Piano" and "Humorous Papers" supply recent takes on the topic. horrible. , wrapped in a few of his most catchy, but darkish instrumentals. It additionally demonstrates how Miller was fascinated by life's greatest unanswered questions, lots of which he loved presenting to his viewers. In one other stroke of metaphysical surrealism, Ballooning apparently suits as a posthumous launch. Most importantly, it fills a niche in Mac Miller's expansive discography with out supplementing his absence or exploring his legacy, respectfully providing followers new entry to the thoughts of a artistic visionary.