<\/p>\n
\n\tMac Miller\u2019s<\/a> estate has finally gifted fans with Balloonerism<\/a><\/em>, a posthumous album that has been the subject of speculation for years. <\/p>\n \n\tReleased on Jan. 17, the album arrives days ahead with what would have been Miller\u2019s 33rd birthday. The Pittsburgh rapper died in 2018 at age 26 of an accidental overdose.<\/p>\n \n\tBalloonerism<\/em> is a 14-track journey that showcases Miller\u2019s experimental side, blending neo-soul and jazz elements. The album kicks off with \u201cTambourine Dream\u201d and features standout tracks like \u201c5 Dollar Pony Rides,\u201d \u201cFriendly Hallucinations,\u201d \u201cMrs. Deborah Downer,\u201d \u201cStoned,\u201d \u201cManakins,\u201d and \u201cRick\u2019s Piano.\u201d Notably, the album includes collaborations with artists such as Thundercat, SZA, and Ashley All Day.<\/p>\n \n\tThe origins of Balloonerism<\/em> trace back to 2014, a prolific period for Miller during which he was also working on projects like Faces<\/em>. Despite its significance, the album was shelved in favor of other releases, leaving fans to piece together unofficial versions circulating online. <\/p>\n \n\tFollowing the circulation of leaked songs amongst fan communities, the record\u2019s official release was\u00a0teased<\/a>\u00a0with a trailer at November\u2019s Camp Flog Gnaw festival.<\/p>\n \n\tMiller\u2019s family previously shared a statement on his Instagram explaining why they\u2019ve decided to release the project. \u201cMany of Malcolm\u2019s fans are aware of\u00a0Balloonerism<\/em>, a full length album that Malcolm created around the time of the release of\u00a0Faces<\/em>\u00a0in 2014,\u201d they wrote. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm \u2014 to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately\u00a0GO:OD AM<\/em>\u00a0and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThey added, \u201cWe believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have been circulating online for years and that releasing\u00a0Balloonerism<\/em>\u00a0was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBased on the lyrics and music of Miller, and directed by Samuel Jerome Mason, the animated\u00a0Balloonerism\u00a0<\/em>\u201cfollows a group of school friends who are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world\u201d, a synopsis of the film reads. \u201cSwallowed by the turtle of time, they must plod through the underbelly of adulthood.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe film was released on Jan. 15 throughout the U.S., with international fans receiving it one day later. A series of \u201cOne Night Only\u201d\u00a0advance theater screenings<\/a>\u00a0were scheduled around the world, including in New York City and Miller\u2019s native Pittsburgh, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France, Canada, and the U.K.<\/p>\n \n\tMiller\u2019s debut studio album, Blue Slide Park<\/em>, topped the Billboard 200 upon its release in back in 2011, the first independently distributed debut album to do so since 1995. Over the course of five studio albums, Miller evolved into one of the most eclectic artists of the 2010s, delving into alt-rap, soul and R&B with equal fervor.<\/p>\n \n\tFollowing Miller\u2019s untimely death in September 2018, his music saw renewed interest on the charts. His album \u201cSwimming\u201d re-entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200, jumping from number 71 to number 6.<\/p>\n \n\tFans can cop a physical version of the album, which includes a limited-edition deluxe two-LP pressing that features a rainbow foil-wrapped slipcase with white splatter cloud vinyl and a 32-page color booklet featuring photos and lyrics, as well as a limited one-time pressing that features clear vinyl available now on\u00a0balloonerism.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tStream Balloonerism <\/em>below.<\/p>\n