
Welcome back to “Perfect Pitch,” a series where members of the Belmont Vision’s senior staff review the latest releases in music and look for the next big thing.
This week, we'll be exploring Mac Miller’s latest posthumous album, "Balloonerism."
Mac Miller, known for his authentic lyricism, diverse production and out-of-the-box composition, is often considered the voice of a generation.
After he died in 2018, many thought the vacuum caused by his passing would not be filled.
However, since his death, his posthumous career has not slowed, with the release of “Circles” in 2020 and “Balloonerism” in 2025.
Zach Watkins - Arts and Entertainment Editor
Overall Rating: 9/10
General Thoughts: This album, originally recorded 10 years before its release, serves as a reminder that even art, once thought to be not good enough for the projects at the time, can take new life after an author's death. Miller's unique voice and perspective on music have and will continue to propel his career forward, even if he was taken too soon. "Balloonerism" is a love letter to the mind of Miller, and it's clear that great care was taken to see his vision through.
Favorite Song: “Rick’s Piano”
Least Favorite Song: “DJ’s Chord Organ (feat. SZA)”
Does this album encapsulate the art that Miller created despite being a posthumous release?
Perfectionism plagues artists, and nothing makes it more evident than this record. Where Miller saw a project not worth completing in 2015, a generation of listeners will grow up loving "Balloonerism's" tribute to a rapper who could connect to audiences in unparalleled ways. This album harkens back to his 2010s discography and is effectively a time capsule into the mind of one of our generation's most prolific creatives.
Nolan Russell – Senior Arts Writer
Overall Rating: 8/10
General Thoughts:
This posthumous offering from Mac Miller, or rather his estate, is a jazzy psychedelic trip of an album, with poignant and insightful lyricism. Oftentimes eerily prophetic in his lyrics, Miller discusses issues like substance abuse and death in this album, giving the listener the sense that this is not merely a scrapped project from 2014 but rather was sent from beyond the grave. He is insightful not only in his writing about the world around him but also in his personal reflections. Funny Papers is the highlight of the album by far. It’s a poignant commentary on life and death, and unintentionally meta. “Didn’t think anybody died on a Friday,” he said. Mac Miller died on Sept. 7th, 2018. It was a Friday.
Favorite Song: “Funny Papers”
Least Favorite Song: “Transformations”
Does this album encapsulate the art that Miller created while still alive?
Balloonerism is sonically rawer due to its unfinished nature. However, what remains true as ever is Miller’s ability for beautiful lyricism. What’s so special about this album is how unapologetic Mac is. His artistry was always palpably full of his personality and this album is no different. It might not be full of chart-topping hits, but it’s a gift to his fans, nonetheless.
Nick Rampe – Senior Sports Writer
Overall Rating: 8/10
General Thoughts:
“Balloonerism” is another phenomenal posthumous release from Mac Miller. His signature lyrical style shines through with elegant production for the duration of the album. Mac’s lyrics seem to hold more weight after his passing than at the time of recording, which makes for an emotional listening experience. Overall, “Balloonerism” is yet another example of Mac Miller’s maturation as an artist.
Favorite Song: “Rick’s Piano”
Least Favorite Song: “Transformation”
Does this album encapsulate the art that Miller created despite being a posthumous release?
Yes, as have the other posthumous albums released by his estate. It’s evident that a lot of care and respect has been put in to ensure that Mac’s vision saw the light of day.
Ria Skyer - Senior Videographer
Overall Rating: 7/10
General Thoughts:
This album is structured a lot like Mac Miller’s place in the music industry. His voice is contingently situated within the middle of a cacophony on all others, only with other patterns a noise to scarf through to before you hear what he says. “Balloonerism” sits in a transitionary period between his signature “frat rap” verses and trap beats into his foray into the sounds of jazz and soul. Yet, in these recordings, Miller also seems to harness a new power in his words. Lyrics have always been his strength, but in “Balloonerism,” Miller solidifies his position in rap with his willingness to spread a message and be a beacon for his audience.
Although released a decade after it was recorded, “Balloonerism” is firm in its authenticity to Miller and his legacy. The music speaks for itself. As he says in “Funny Papers,” “Do you love silence? / Everything quiet but the music.”
Favorite Song: “Stoned”
Least Favorite Song: “Mrs. Deborah Downer”
Does this album encapsulate the art that Miller created despite being a posthumous release?
A release this detailed and intricate, with all its moving parts, had to be treated with the utmost care at its inception. Regardless of a project’s quality, there are plenty of reasons to release or withhold art from the public. The stars might have aligned for a timelier "Ballonerism" release if Miller were here to act on it. The art still stands through the direct privilege of hearing from a lost voice once again.
Braden Simmons - Managing Editor
Rating: 7/10
General Thoughts:
This album strikes an interesting mix between traditional instrumentals and artificial sounds. A difficult feat but in this album it sounds natural. While the mixed sound works well it begins to feel repetitive in succession and Miller’s lyricism isn’t quite as strong as his previous work.
The almost jazz lounge sound that is found in some of the songs was appealing as someone who enjoys soul and jazz music; however, the similarities in some songs on the album made it difficult to determine where one song ended and the next started.
Some of these songs are worth an add to a playlist but the lift of these songs near the end of the album really highlighted the lack of variety near the beginning and middle leaving me wanting more.
Favorite Song: “Stoned”
Least Favorite Song: “Transformations (feat. Delusional Thomas)”
Does this album encapsulate the art that Miller created despite the posthumous release?
The album certainly had elements of what Miller was always about as an artist. His style certainly shines through on some of the songs, but there are others where it feels like it fell flat of the creation that Miller is known for. It would’ve been great to have seen some more variation and to have had the album feel a bit more cohesive but as a love letter to Mac Miller it certainly accomplishes its job.
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